Pantry Chef

About the Role

The Pantry Chef is a core member of the shipboard galley team, responsible for cold food preparation, kitchen sanitation, and overall galley organization. Day-to-day responsibilities include preparing salads, garnishes, dressings, desserts, and other cold items for guest and crew meals, following recipes and direction from the Head Chef. The role also includes supporting galley cleanliness, rotating stock, assisting with dishwashing as needed, and ensuring all food storage areas meet safety and public health standards.

This is a hands-on, fast-paced position that requires equal parts culinary skill and operational discipline. Pantry Chefs work on a rotational schedule of 8 weeks on / 4 weeks off, averaging 12-14 hours per day on split shifts with no days off during the rotation.

Candidates must be genuinely prepared for sustained physical demand in a remote, at-sea environment before applying.

Work Schedule

Chefs work an average of 12 hours per day, every day, with no days off throughout your 8-week rotation onboard.

Living Conditions

Crew quarters are compact and shared - you will bunk with one or two roommates for the full duration of your rotation, with minimal personal space. The vessel operates in remote locations with limited or no port access between expeditions, so cell service and internet may be unavailable for extended periods. You must bring a sufficient supply of any prescription medications, as refills cannot be obtained while underway.

This lifestyle suits people who are adaptable, self-sufficient, and genuinely energized by close-knit team environments and remote travel. If those conditions sound like a challenge rather than an adventure, this may not be the right fit.

Physical Demands

This is a physically demanding role performed in a moving marine environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, bend, kneel, squat, and climb steep interior stairs repeatedly throughout a 12-hour shift - including during periods of significant vessel motion. The employee must regularly lift and carry items up to 50 pounds. Work rotates continuously across cabin cleaning, dishwashing, laundry, and food service, often without extended breaks. Work is performed in confined spaces and high-humidity environments including the galley.

Responsibilities

Food Preparation

• Prepares salads, garnishes, appetizers, dressings, cookies, desserts, and similar items as directed by the Head Chef.
• Assists the Head Chef and/or Assistant Chef in preparing food items as directed.
• Assists the Head Chef in supervising and training the galley steward.

Galley Cleaning

• Cleans countertops, working surfaces, sinks, and the dishwasher; able to serve as the shift's dishwasher when needed.
• Adheres to all CDC Vessel Sanitation Program and Health Canada requirements.
• Maintains and organizes the storeroom, galley cupboards, refrigerators, and freezers.
• Supports the Steward in scraping and soaking all dishes, pots and pans, and cooking and eating utensils in accordance with applicable regulations.
• Supports the Steward in loading, running, and unloading the dishwashing machine and storing items in their proper locations.

Storage & Inventory

• Assists in the proper storage, wrapping, handling, and display of food items.
• Rotates current stock, disposes of spoiled items, and replenishes provisions and supplies as received.

Safety & Security

• Participates in onboard safety training, meetings, and drills as directed by the Captain, including fire, abandon ship, man overboard, flooding, and medical emergencies.
• Adheres to the Company's uniform policy to uphold its image, safety, and standards.
• Participates in shoreside training as required by the Company.
• Maintains familiarity with ISM codes and requirements.
• Understands all duties under the Company Safety Management System and Emergency Station Billet.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year of recent cooking and/or food service experience.
• Good verbal communication skills.
• Detail-oriented and thorough, with strong follow-through on assigned tasks.
• Able to work independently, using creativity and initiative to complete tasks.
• Strong time management skills; able to handle multiple tasks, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Able to work well under pressure.
• Able to get along with co-workers and support a team environment.

Licenses/certifications

• US Passport, or US Permanent Resident Card and valid passport
• First Aid/CPR/AED certification (current) - required
• STCW Basic Safety Training - required
• STCW Crowd Management - required
• USCG Medical Certificate - required
• Maritime Security Awareness - required
• Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC) - required

Don't have all the required certifications yet? No problem - we'll help you obtain them during onboarding.

Employment is contingent on the following

• In compliance with U.S. Coast Guard Regulations, 46 CFR Parts 4, 5, and 16, you will be required to undergo the following drug tests: post-offer prior to start date, random, reasonable cause, and serious marine incident per US Federal guidelines.
• Pre-offer background check; employment is contingent upon the results of this screening.
• Post-offer physical examination; your employment is dependent upon being determined fit for sea duty.

Continued employment is dependent upon consent to and passing these tests.

Lindblad Expeditions continues to highly recommend that all new hires be up to date with all vaccines prior to the first day of employment and getting boosted annually when eligible, including those vaccines that protect against COVID-19. All crew must still comply with all country-specific vaccination requirements.

Communication Skills

Using the English language, this person must have the ability to read, write, and comprehend policies, legal guidelines, correspondence, and memos. Must also possess the ability to effectively communicate--both in writing and orally--with a professional demeanor.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear.
• The employee will also be required to write and type.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.
• The physical demands per position are described in the Job Analysis sheet and are available to all applicants upon request.

Pay and benefits

Lindblad Expeditions determines the pay for positions using local, national, and industry-specific survey data. We evaluate external equity and the cost of labor/prevailing wage index in the relative marketplace for jobs directly comparable to jobs within our company. Our posted salary range is based on national data and may be refined for a candidate's region/town/cost of living.

For new hires, we strive to make competitive offers allowing the new employee room for future growth. Salaries will be based on the applicant’s location, level of experience, education, and specialized knowledge and skills. An employee/candidate with a stronger skill set will receive higher pay.