ABOUT SERENITY RIDGE: Serenity Ridge Retreat Center is the headquarters of Ligmincha International, an organization dedicated to sharing meditation and spiritual practices from the Bön Buddhist tradition of Tibet. Located on a hundred acres in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, just thirty minutes south of Charlottesville, the center offers retreats and teachings throughout the year from the Bön tradition as well as hosts events for other spiritual and contemplative groups.
We are currently looking for experienced cooks, who embody a joy of service, to join our kitchen team. We operate a vegetarian kitchen, serving simple, nutritionally-balanced, buffet-style meals for retreatants and staff. Group size ranges from 10-70. We have a well-stocked, well-equipped, well-maintained and spacious kitchen. If you are mature, reliable, and enjoy preparing nourishing food within a self-directed and collaborative team, this position might be for you! Hours are variable and intermittent, depending on our event schedule, but generally planned well in advance (see current retreat dates below). Job perks include delicious meals during shifts, possibility to stay on site during retreats if desired (saving you on gas and commute), and access to wooded walking trails and the Rockfish River for swimming!
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
Reading recipes and making calculations and adjustments based on headcount and availability of ingredients
Determining flow of work and ensuring pacing of the shift to get meals out on time
Meal preparation - wash, peel, chop, mix, roast, bake, cook, serve, replenish, etc.
Keeping an eye on inventory and adding to prep lists and shopping lists where needed
Maintaining both front and back of house - cleaning, restocking, dishes, laundry, trash, recycling, compost, etc.
Communicating with and accommodating guests with care
Training and supporting new staff and volunteers as needed
Keeping an eye on proper care and maintenance of kitchen equipment
Back of house deep cleans/"putting the kitchen to bed" at the end of a busy stretch
QUALIFICATIONS:
Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
Willingness and ability to work flexible hours, including some early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays
Reliable, punctual, solution-oriented, and committed to co-creating a healthy environment for all
Interest in nutritionally-balanced vegetarian cooking, with emphasis on vegan and gluten-free
Skill and familiarity with basic cooking and baking techniques
Attention to detail, cleanliness, and hygiene (food handlers permit a plus!)
Ability to work safely and efficiently, in a calm and focused manner, under pressure of scheduled meal times
Ability to stand comfortably for an 8 hour shift (breaks provided) as well as safely lift up to 50 lbs
Experience cooking for large groups or working in a high-volume restaurant setting a plus
SCHEDULING:
Weekly hours will vary, depending on the retreat schedule. Current upcoming dates are:
3/22-3/28
3/30-4/2
4/3-4/9
4/10-4/14
4/25-5/1
5/15-5/19
6/22-7/6
9/5-9/8
10/24-10/30
10/31-11/5
11/7-11/20
12/5-12/8
12/27-1/1
PAY RATE:
$15-$18/hr
TO APPLY:
Send us a resume, brief cover letter, and two professional references. Applicants need not be available for all dates. However, preference will be given to folks who can work multiple shifts/week. We look forward to hearing from you!
