Company description

Puʻu O Hōkū Ranch is a 14,000-acre working ranch located on the remote eastern end of Molokaʻi, one of Hawaiʻi’s most untouched and naturally beautiful islands. For generations, the ranch has been a steward of the land, committed to sustainable agriculture, organic farming, and the preservation of cultural values. Our operations span cattle ranching, diversified organic and biodynamic agriculture, forestry, and a boutique hospitality program that welcomes guests from around the world to experience the authentic spirit of aloha and connection to the ʻāina (land).

At Puʻu O Hōkū, we believe deeply in the relationship between healthy land, nourishing food, and vibrant community. Our organic gardens and orchards supply fresh produce to our kitchen, where farm-to-table cooking is a daily practice — in the meals we prepare for retreat groups and overnight guests, at private events, and in the offerings at our ranch store. We are looking for a skilled, hands-on cook who shares our commitment to sustainability, land stewardship, and the power of good food to bring people together.

Job description

The Sous Chef is the culinary right hand to our resident Ranch Chef. Together, the Sous Chef and Ranch Chef drive day-to-day operations in the Lodge kitchen; they are responsible for producing the food we serve across all of our hospitality offerings. This is a hands-on role for an experienced lead cook or sous chef who is ready to take ownership & demonstrate creativity in an intimate, boutique-style kitchen. The ideal candidate will have opportunities for continued growth: learning the tropical ingredients of Hawaiʻi, the seasonal rhythms of a working ranch, and innovating within the venue’s foodservice program. The majority of the Sous Chef’s time is spent in the kitchen, preparing and serving food for retreat groups, individual room bookings, private events, and the ranch store. The Sous Chef works independently, but as directed and under the supervision of the Ranch Chef. A meaningful part of the role is being a liaison to our garden team — spending time in the garden, understanding what is being grown, and bringing the freshest ranch-grown produce from the soil into the kitchen.

CULINARY (PRIMARY FOCUS)

– Work under the direction of the Ranch Chef to prepare, cook, and plate food for retreat groups, overnight guests, private events, and the ranch store. Responsible for driving operations when the Ranch Chef is not present

– Support menu planning and recipe development, drawing on fresh, seasonal, and ranch-grown ingredients

– Work alongside Front of House staff; collect & clean servicewares and bus tables if the number of patrons does not warrant Front of the House support

– Assist with ordering, receiving, and inventory of kitchen supplies; help minimize waste

– Practice food preservation techniques such as pickling, fermenting, and dehydrating to make the most of ranch harvests

– Uphold kitchen cleanliness, organization, food safety and sanitation standards at all times

– Introduce meals & products to patrons; converse and be a positive brand ambassador for the ranch

– Help train and guide seasonal staff & interns, and support a positive, collaborative kitchen culture

GARDEN LIAISON (SUPPORTING ROLE)

– Spend scheduled time in the organic gardens, supporting with harvesting and light garden tasks

– Coordinate harvests with the garden lead, ensuring the freshest produce reaches the kitchen when it’s needed

– Build a working knowledge of the ranch’s crops, growing practices, and tropical produce varieties

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

– At least 2–3 years of professional experience as a sous chef (or in a comparable senior line-cook role)

– Strong foundational cooking skills, knife skills, and command of core kitchen techniques

– A genuine willingness to learn about tropical Hawaiʻi ingredients and to cook under the direction of our Ranch Chef

– Ability to work efficiently and calmly under the pressure of service, and to help lead a team

– Comfortable spending time outdoors in the garden and possess a real interest in ingredient-driven, farm-to-table cooking

– Reliable, self-motivated, and able to work both independently and as part of a close-knit team

– Comfortable with the demands of a professional kitchen and with rural, remote island living

– A positive attitude and a collaborative, team-player mindset

Compensation

this position is: hourly, varies DOE, $18.00 - $25.00

Application instructions

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Deadline

no deadline