2024 - Culinary Professionals - Baker / Pastry Chef at Wolfoods Milwaukee, WI

Wolfoods, Inc. revolutionizes the traditional concept of "camp food" by providing fresh, home-style scratch cooking rather than typical freezer-to-table meals. As a company specializing in summer camp kitchens across the country, Wolfoods operates primarily between May and September, partnering with camps dedicated to offering campers nutritious, delicious, and culturally diverse meals. Established as a leading provider of camp culinary services, Wolfoods emphasizes quality, health, and special dietary accommodations, creating an environment where the camp dining experience goes beyond expectations. Their philosophy centers around transforming camp cuisine into a wholesome, flavorful, and educational experience for young campers. This approach not only meets the dietary needs of campers with varied preferences and restrictions, such as kosher, gluten-free, vegan, and nut-free options, but also teaches the value of balanced diets and green initiatives through hands-on exposure to fresh, homemade meals.

The Baker / Pastry Chef role at Wolfoods is a highly hands-on and demanding position designed for experienced culinary professionals passionate about high-volume, quality baking and production. This position requires living on-site at the assigned camp location during the summer season, with room, board, and travel assistance provided. The Baker / Pastry Chef is entrusted with flawlessly executing Wolfoods’ Camp Food Service Program, ensuring the delivery of bakery products of exceptional quality and consistency throughout all meal periods and special events. The successful candidate must oversee the daily bakery operations including preparation and baking of all bakery items from scratch using standardized recipes with precise adherence to timing, quantity, quality, and plating standards. Supervisory responsibilities include managing bakery personnel, coaching support staff, and maintaining a clean and safe bakery environment that complies with health department sanitation standards.

This pivotal position demands strong communication skills to coordinate effectively with a diverse group, including children, exchange students, front and back of house staff, camp directors, managers, counselors, leaders, specialists, and diners. A sense of urgency and professionalism is essential, as the Baker / Pastry Chef must answer service and culinary inquiries in line with Wolfoods standards. Candidates need proven leadership, teaching ability, initiative, and judgment in managing kitchen resources, inventory, baking needs, and food safety procedures, including safe special diet and allergen food preparation.

The culinary professional must be capable of working in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment, which may involve above or below average temperatures. This role involves long hours, a minimum 6-day workweek totaling 70 hours, and requires physical stamina including standing for long periods, lifting heavy items, bending, stretching, and reaching. Prior experience in high volume commercial kitchens and proficiency in scratch baking and culinary skills is mandatory. Additionally, candidates must obtain ServSafe Allergens Certification before the camp season begins (company sponsored). Wolfoods seeks seasonal summer-driven individuals eager to join a collaborative community while embracing the challenges of camp culinary operations in rural, sometimes rustic, living conditions.

Wolfoods offers a competitive salary with bonus incentives, seasonal contracts, and comprehensive support including room, board, and transportation expense assistance. By joining Wolfoods, Bakers and Pastry Chefs play a vital role in a dynamic team that brings quality culinary experiences to life, positively impacting the wellness and enjoyment of young campers nationwide. The opportunity provides an enriching environment where culinary skills, leadership, and personal growth combine uniquely during the summer camp season.