What are the responsibilities and job description for the Garden Kitchen Culinary Program Specialist position at Tawonga Jewish Community Corp?
Job Title: Garden Kitchen Culinary Program Specialist
Salary & Dates: $4510, more DOE. Dates for this position are May 31- August 8, 2026
Job Description: The Garden Kitchen Culinary Program Assistant will support the Garden Kitchen Culinary Program in its second year. This role is responsible for creative culinary programming (cooking classes) for groups of 12-24 campers at a time in Tawonga’s “Garden Kitchen”, a commercial kitchen space located right next to Tawonga’s garden. This role will also assist with activity prep, facilitation, and clean up, in addition to supporting program development, inventory management, and upkeep of the space. Culinary experience required, teaching experience preferred.
Job Responsibilities
Safety
Safety must come first AT ALL TIMES.
You must always be aware of the potential dangers in any program or activity. Oversee safe use of kitchen equipment, cleanliness and sanitation of kitchen space, use of hot ovens, and use of knives with both campers and staff.
Team Work
Work closely with the Culinary Program Supervisor and co-Specialist all summer.
Have a good attitude and clearly communicate your needs.
Share in the desirable and less desirable elements of the job.
Initiative and Responsibility
Be on time and prepared.
Go above and beyond. When one task is done, look for the next and get it done.
Create innovative programming for the Culinary Program. Work with the Supervisor to find, adjust, test, and develop recipes.
Working with campers
Work with kids of all ages and genders.
Plan age-appropriate activities in the Garden Kitchen
Other duties:
Participate in occasional “shmira:” nighttime supervision of campers
Participate in occasional “bunk coverage:” supervision of campers during counselors’ time off
Participate in occasional “bus duty:” escorting campers to and from the Bay Area
Department Area Skill
Teach and lead cooking classes and related activities.
Keep the Garden Kitchen space and supplies clean and organized. The ideal candidate keeps food and supplies labeled, cleans up messes promptly, and steps up for dish duty, laundry, mopping, etc.
Culinary and teaching experience: The ideal candidate will either have professional kitchen experience or be a confident home cook.
Familiarity with and/or ability to learn on the job about:
A variety of dietary needs, allergies, and restrictions, such as gluten-free, kosher, vegan, etc.
Seasonality and farm-to-table cooking, as we incorporate as much as possible from Tawonga’s organic garden.
Cultural competence: Ability to research and teach about a variety of cultural foods.
Modifying recipes for time limits, campers’ ages, dietary needs, and interest.
Various kitchen tools, such as: immersion blender, food processor, dish sanitizer, induction stove, rice cooker, etc.
Day in the Life
8:45 AM – Meet in Garden Kitchen. Be on time and ready to start the day (breakfast finished, wearing appropriate work attire).
8:45-9:30 AM – Set-up Garden Kitchen for morning blocks
9:30-10:45 AM – Morning Block
10:45 AM -12:30PM - Clean up and start to prep for afternoon
12:30 PM – Lunch
1:45 PM - Meet in Garden Kitchen. Prep for next Block
2:30 - 3:45 PM – Afternoon Block
3:45 - (roughly) 5:45 PM – Clean up and prep for next day
6:00 PM – Dinner
7:00 PM – Time off
Additional Requirements
Should be able to navigate over 4-8 miles of uneven terrain to different program areas around camp daily.
Live in cabin with other staff.
Salary : $4,510