Are you looking for a meaningful culinary role where creativity, community, and care for the Earth come together? At Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center, we believe food is more than fuel — it’s a sacred way to nourish body and spirit.

We’re looking for a Culinary Artist to help us prepare beautiful, plant-forward meals in a peaceful, purpose-driven kitchen. This is not your typical kitchen job. It’s a chance to cook with intention, collaborate with a supportive team, and use seasonal, local ingredients (including some grown in our on-site gardens).

In this role, you’ll work closely with our Food Service Director to prepare daily and weekend retreat meals, bring artistry to plating and presentation, and help us share nourishing food rooted in our values of sustainability, hospitality, and wholeness.

What Makes This Role Special

• Prepare fresh, seasonal meals that reflect care for body, land, and spirit
   
• Work in a calm, beautiful kitchen environment with a close-knit team
   
• Cook with local produce and herbs from our gardens
   
• Learn food preservation techniques and creative plant-based cooking
   
• Be part of a mission-driven organization focused on peace, connection, and ecological wellness
   

Responsibilities

• Prepare and present retreat meals using seasonal and locally sourced ingredients
   
• Plate dishes with creativity and care for visual beauty and guest experience
   
• Follow food safety and sanitation guidelines with consistency
   
• Accommodate special dietary needs (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free)
   
• Support kitchen operations including prep, cleanup, and food preservation
   
• Collaborate with the Food Service Director on seasonal recipes and ideas
   
• Participate in team check-ins and help maintain a supportive, respectful kitchen culture
   

Schedule

• 30+ hours/week, primarily Wednesday through Sunday
   
• Schedule may vary between 30–50 hours/week depending on retreat flow
   
• Includes some evenings and weekends
   
• Meals provided during shifts
   

Ideal Candidate

• Has experience cooking in a professional or retreat kitchen (or strong home cooking skills)
   
• Loves working with fresh, local, plant-forward ingredients
   
• Cares about visual presentation and guest experience
   
• Is reliable, communicative, and kind
   
• Enjoys a peaceful, non-hierarchical work environment
   
• Has or is willing to obtain ServSafe certification
   
• Shares our values of hospitality, collaboration, sustainability, and creativity
   

Other Details

• Must have a valid driver’s license
   
• Position is contingent on physical exam, drug screening, and background check
   

Physical Requirements

The employee is regularly required to talk, hear, taste, and smell. Frequent use of hands for chopping, slicing, and handling kitchen tools is required. Must be able to stand, walk, balance, stoop, and crouch for extended periods. Must be able to frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds. Vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The Culinary Artist may be exposed to:

• Moving mechanical parts
   
• Wet and/or humid conditions
   
• Hot and cold temperatures (including freezer exposure)
   
• Harsh cleaning chemicals, detergents, and degreasers
   
• Risk of electrical shock
   
• Noise levels are typically quiet to moderate