Cook - Retreat

General Information

Title: Retreat Cook

Employment Type: Part-time

Compensation: $20.00 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications

Location: Big Bear, California

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Position Summary

Big Bear Retreat Center (BBRC) is seeking a Retreat Cook to support our mission by contributing to a high-quality culinary experience for retreat guests. In this role, you will help deliver nutritious, creative, and thoughtfully prepared meals that support meaningful, healing, and transformative retreat experiences.

Working closely with the Retreat Chef and kitchen team, you will help ensure meal service is well planned, efficiently executed, and consistently reflects BBRC's commitment to hospitality and excellence.

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About Big Bear Retreat Center

Big Bear Retreat Center (BBRC) is a retreat destination located on approximately 100 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest, bordering an additional 800 acres of protected forest. Founded in 2018, BBRC was envisioned as a Southern California destination for residential meditation retreats.

While silent meditation retreats remain our primary offering, our mission also includes providing retreat space for mission-aligned organizations and making retreats accessible to people who might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience them.

BBRC hosts meditation, dharma, and respite retreats, along with retreats for nonprofit organizations and other mission-aligned groups. We have partnered to offer inclusive retreats, including the first residential transgender and gender expansive retreat, Spanish-language retreats, Black Women's retreats, retreats for teens of color, and many others.

Located just 2.5 hours from Los Angeles at 7,000 feet elevation, BBRC offers a peaceful mountain setting with four distinct seasons near Big Bear Lake.

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Key Responsibilities

Kitchen Operations

• Support the daily operations of the kitchen while maintaining alignment with BBRC's mission, values, and culinary standards.
• Maintain a clean, organized, safe, and efficient kitchen environment.
• Perform food preparation, cleaning, organizing, and other kitchen support duties.
• Assist with inventory management and ordering in the Retreat Chef's absence.
• Ensure all hygiene, food safety, and health code standards are consistently met.

Culinary Excellence

• Prepare and serve high-quality vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals.
• Bake breads, cakes, cookies, desserts, and other baked goods.
• Follow BBRC recipes and the Retreat Chef's direction to consistently deliver nourishing, creative cuisine.
• Collaborate with the kitchen team on menus, recipes, and culinary innovation.

Team Collaboration

• Work closely with the Retreat Chef and Kitchen Manager to ensure smooth daily operations and exceptional guest experiences.
• Foster a collaborative, respectful, and feedback-oriented kitchen culture.
• Participate in developing and following kitchen procedures, safety protocols, and operational standards.
• Follow instructions, complete daily tasks efficiently, and maintain excellent time management.

Guest Experience

• Help create a dining experience that enhances the overall retreat experience.
• Train and support retreatants participating in kitchen yogi tasks.
• Serve as a positive ambassador of BBRC to guests, staff, volunteers, and the local community.

Professionalism

• Maintain clear communication, accountability, and operational integrity.
• Support and protect the retreat environment by upholding BBRC's ethical standards and values.
• Demonstrate attention to detail and a commitment to culinary excellence.

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Qualifications

Required

• Passion for culinary excellence, creativity, and efficiency.
• Willingness to learn and develop new culinary skills.
• Alignment with BBRC's mission and belief in the power of mindfulness, healing, and connection.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, adapt quickly, and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure while maintaining high-quality work.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Preferred

• Experience working in a commercial kitchen, retreat center, restaurant, or hospitality environment.
• Personal experience participating in multi-day residential silent meditation retreats.
• Passion for sustainable, healthy, and creative cuisine.
• Desire to live and work in a mountain community.

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Success in This Role

Successful candidates will:

• Maintain an exceptionally clean and organized kitchen.
• Help create a dining experience that is a highlight of each guest's retreat.
• Ensure all food service operations consistently meet health and safety standards.
• Prepare healthy, nourishing meals that reflect BBRC's culinary vision.
• Contribute to menu development and ongoing culinary innovation.
• Foster a mindful, collaborative, and supportive kitchen environment.

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Work Environment

This is an onsite position based in Big Bear, California. Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed is required.

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Physical Requirements

This role requires standing and walking for extended periods throughout a shift. Frequent bending, lifting, and carrying of items up to 50 pounds is required. Candidates must be able to safely operate commercial kitchen equipment, work in a fast-paced environment, and maintain focus while performing repetitive tasks.

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Flexibility

BBRC functions best when all staff work toward our shared mission. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities. Duties may change or new responsibilities may be assigned at any time based on organizational needs.

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Equal Opportunity Employer

Big Bear Retreat Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive for equity, celebrate diversity, and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where all employees can thrive.

Qualified candidates who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC) and/or members of the LGBTQIA+ community are especially encouraged to apply.