Pantry Cook (Cold Side) - Summer 2025

Coons Franklin Lodge, a cherished family-owned resort located on Trout Lake, is excited to announce an opening for a Pantry Cook (Cold Side) for the summer season of 2025. This position offers a unique opportunity to work in a beautiful setting while being part of a team dedicated to providing exceptional dining experiences for our guests. The Lodge, operated by the Coons family since 1892, is renowned for its stunning views, luxurious accommodations, and dedication to hospitality that keeps families returning year after year.

As a Pantry Cook (Cold Side), you will focus on preparing fresh salads, cold appetizers, and other chilled dishes, ensuring that our culinary offerings are both delicious and artistically presented. You will work closely with the head chef and kitchen staff to maintain our high standards of quality and creativity in the menu. This role is perfect for someone who is passionate about food preparation and eager to refine their culinary skills in a supportive and vibrant environment.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and present salads, cold entrees, and other cold dishes in accordance with established recipes and menu specifications.
• Ensure that all food items on the cold side are stored properly and comply with food safety and sanitation standards.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of the cold pantry and kitchen areas.
• Assist with inventory for cold storage and notify the chef of any needed items or discrepancies.
• Collaborate with the kitchen team to develop new and exciting cold dish offerings.
• Participate in special events and catering functions, providing support to the culinary team as needed.

Requirements

• Minimum of 1-2 years’ experience in a professional kitchen, specifically in a cold side or pantry role.
• Knowledge of food safety practices and ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong knife skills and familiarity with various kitchen tools and equipment.
• Attention to detail with a genuine passion for creating visually appealing and high-quality dishes.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team and take direction from senior culinary staff.
• Flexibility to work various shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Excellent communication skills and a positive attitude.

Benefits

The Employee Experience

One of the best parts of working at Coons is that we offer dorm-style housing. Some of our rooms are right on the water with breathtaking views of the lake.

Mornings are busy for our staff with our wood and ice service to each cabin, breakfast and lunch service, waterfront and housekeeping. Most staff is off in the afternoons before dinner service. This is the best time to be off work and either sitting on the dock, waterskiing or hitting the bike trails. Our most successful employees return year after year because of the hospitality and respect they are shown by the Coons family.

Ideal Candidate

An ideal candidate is someone who can take ownership over their job duties and operates with integrity and respect for themselves and their co-workers. The Coons family wants you to enjoy this little slice of heaven as much as our guests do.

Room and Board

We provide FREE dorm-style housing and 3 staff meals a day. We can accommodate most dietary requests.

Employee Perks

Fun Things to Do at Coons When Off Duty

We highly encourage all our staff to make use of the beautiful Northwoods and the resort activities available while not working. How often do you get to live at a resort?

Activities:

There is a beautiful trail winding throughout the resort property. Biking, jogging, and hiking are very popular. Everyone is welcome to explore. Basketball is a favorite.

Tennis Courts:

There are four courts on the premises. During the time the courts are not in use, all employees are welcome to take advantage of the courts. We ask the following things: Permission is needed, proper tennis attire is required (whites), tennis shoes only, no running shoes. Should any guest want to come and use the courts, vacate the court promptly and courteously.

Waterfront:

Trout Lake is one of Wisconsin’s finest. There are two docks located on the waterfront. The swimming dock is for guest use only. All employees are welcome to use the boat dock. Employees are welcome to use the following equipment: sailing, water-skiing, canoes, rowboats, and kayaks. No motor boats. You must check out all equipment with the proper resort personnel. Once again, guests have first preference.

Golf:

Trout Lake Golf Course is located 2 miles north of the resort off HWY 51. We get a 20% discount! For more information see: http://www.troutlakegolf.com/main.html

Yoga: Staff can join in our guest Yoga class In the Lodge, Tuesdays at 10am. You must pre-register with Emily or Sarah due to limited spots available.

Getting Here and Getting Around

We are located about 10 miles from the towns of Woodruff and Minocqua. I would say about 50% of our bring an automobile with them. There is minimal public transportation and biking on the highway is discouraged.

For Fun

Fun Things to Do in the Area

Music in The Park- Sunday Nights in Manitowish

https://manitowishwaters.org/things-to-do/music-in-the-park/

Big Top Chautauqua- Although a little bit faraway, but world-renowned musical venue:

https://www.bigtop.org/

Hiking

Map it Vilas County. Great app to find hiking spots to meet your needs:

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/map-it-vilas-county/id881933385

Biking

• Trails:
• Vilas County has some of the best paved trail biking in the state: https://biketheheart.org/bike-trail-map/
• Win-Man https://www.winmantrails.com/
• Bike Rentals: Coontail: https://coontail.com/pages/rental-rates-2022