Company description
Natural Dharma Fellowship is a Buddhist community dedicated to the joy of awakening together. Our 200 acre retreat center, Wonderwell Mountain Refuge, is nestled in New Hampshire’s Upper Valley amongst field, forest, streams and breath sustaining mountain views.
We are dedicated to bringing the practices of Tibetan Buddhism into the contemporary world in accessible, relevant, and creative ways. Our practices emphasize the innate wisdom and compassion of one’s inherent being, communing with and learning from the natural world, and the divine feminine.
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit religious organization, Natural Dharma’s infrastructure includes a Board of Directors, a Teachers Council, Managers, Staff, and lay members, all of whom inform and shape the organization collaboratively. Our deep aspiration is to co-create a holistic and sustainable model of spiritual community.
Job description
Natural Dharma Fellowship is seeking a LEAD RETREAT CHEF at our 200 acre retreat center, Wonderwell Mountain Refuge in New Hampshire’s Upper Valley. The Wonderwell kitchen is a place of practice, compassion, and reverence for the Earth and her bounty which we lovingly turn into nourishing vegetarian meals to support residential retreatants.
A lead retreat chef will work in a team of like minded individuals to create a container of safety, peacefulness and nourishment for retreatants. The typical length of retreats is 4 to 8 days long with 6-hour shifts (occasional doubles) and periods of time off for rest and practice. The schedule of the retreats is set a year ahead and typically includes on average 125 residential nights plus occasional support for special events. This role requires the ability to plan and execute a meal for 20-40 people with the assistance of our experienced kitchen team. Accommodations are available during retreats with the possibility of full time residence if other skills support needs at the center.
The Wonderwell kitchen is a special place with a priority to support meditation practitioners on retreat. We do so with nourishment, noble silence and compassion. We are dedicated to the health and wellbeing of the Earth and the healing, inward path of individuals.
Over the years, we have established strong ties with local organic farmers to source fresh and seasonal produce. The menu and meals are planned around the seasonal availability. We seek to reduce waste and plastic burden by ordering organic bulk pantry items. The kitchen serves only vegetarian and vegan meals. Our current part-time kitchen manager will assist with maintaining relationships with distributors, creating menus, scheduling, tracking inventory and food ordering.
Essential Qualifications:
- Minimum of 5 years experience as a lead cook in a commercial kitchen
- Expertise with healthful, vegetarian menus
- Knowledge to ensure the kitchen meets or surpasses food and hygiene requirements and safety standards set by regulations
- Proficiency at cooking family style meals for 20-50 people
- Strong organizational and communication skills
- Ability to efficiently and compassionately collaborate with other staff
- Desire to create a welcoming, nourishing, compassionate dining experience
- Commitment to Buddhist Ethics and Acting with Bodhicitta is a plus!
Compensation: Hourly, dependent upon experience; plus gratuities offered by retreatants which typically is $5K+/year for this role (balance is shared by kitchen staff)
Benefits:
- Paid time off
- Free access to all NDF online programming (annual programs based on eligibility)
- Attendance at on site retreats during breaks and option for free, commuting registration when off duty (some limitations)
- Overnight accommodations during work periods
- Potential full-time residence on site
Compensation
this position is: hourly, varies DOE, $25.00 - $32.00
Application instructions
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Deadline
November 30, 2026