Alaskan Cuisine Specialist

Camp Denali's Culinary Philosophy centers around creating wholesome, nourishing food while embracing sustainable practices and highlighting local Alaskan ingredients. Our culinary approach is rooted in rustic yet refined dining experiences that foster a sense of community and connection to the land.

As a Dinner Cook at Camp Denali, you will play a vital role in crafting memorable dining experiences for our guests. Your responsibilities will include preparing and plating three-course seated dinners, including appetizers, entrées, and desserts. You will also be responsible for supporting the Executive/Sous Chef in completing various prep tasks and facilitating task delegation throughout the day.

• Prepare and plate 3-course seated guest dinner, including:

• Appetizer (soup or Greenhouse salad) and bread (made in advance by the Baker)

• Single choice dinner entrée, including a meat or fish, vegetable and starch side dishes, sauces, garnishes, and options for dietary restrictions

• Dessert (made in advance by the baker)

• Prepare buffet-style staff dinner, including protein, starch, and vegetable/greens; sauces, garnish & condiments; options for staff dietary restrictions
• Scale recipes to achieve appropriate yield and minimize food waste
• Complete miscellaneous prep projects as assigned by Executive/Sous Chef
• Thoughtfully accommodate dietary restrictions in guest and staff meals

You will work closely with the Assistant Cook throughout the day, delegating tasks and mentoring in food service tasks. You will also bring new menu ideas and refinements to existing menus to the Executive Chef, communicate issues and proposed solutions, and address the dining room to introduce meals to guests.

To succeed in this role, you will need:

• Interest: A genuine desire to live and work in a remote, self-sufficient, small community setting
• Education/Experience: A solid educational and experiential background in food preparation and service, with at least two years of fine dining cooking experience required
• Cooking Know-How: Experience and demonstrated skill creating premium quality meals from basic ingredients, experience with meat, poultry, and fish fabrication, and ability to accommodate a range of dietary restrictions
• Eye for Excellence: Attentive to details and motivated to constantly improve products
• Volume Production and Portion Control: Experience and demonstrated skill feeding groups ranging in size from 10 to 60+ people, as well as proven ability to adjust portion size accordingly and minimize food waste
• Independence and Time Management: Ability to write your own prep list and prioritize tasks/manage time across a day, building in time for dishwashing and cleaning projects
• Adaptability: Desire to contribute where needed and adjust plans according to the team's needs
• Lifelong Learning: Commitment to growth and actively seeking out learning opportunities
• Mentorship and Guidance: Desire to mentor and guide others in a team-oriented environment, as well as receive supervision and mentorship

This position offers competitive compensation, including pay rates starting at $22.00 per hour, overtime pay at $33.00 per hour, and a travel stipend based on location. Additionally, you will have access to a retirement savings option via a SIMPLE IRA, with an employer contribution of up to 3% after three years of employment.

As a Dinner Cook at Camp Denali, you will be exposed to a hot/humid environment, lifting/carrying 50# sacks, moving heavy trays of product, and working on your feet for long periods. All staff are required to have a current Alaska Food Worker card, which can be obtained online and is valid for three years.