HAP Mt McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge

Cook Where the Wild Things Are – Prep Cook at HAP Mt McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge

Imagine chopping fresh Alaskan vegetables while the tallest mountain in North America towers outside your kitchen window. At HAP Mt McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, located in the heart of Denali State Park, Trapper Creek, Alaska, that’s just an ordinary Tuesday. This is your chance to spend a summer in one of the last true wilderness frontiers on Earth – and get paid for it.

About the Position

As a Prep Cook, you’ll be an essential part of a busy lodge kitchen that serves hungry travelers from all over the world. You’ll gain hands-on culinary experience in a professional American kitchen – skills you’ll carry with you for life (and that will make you the star of every dinner party back home).

• Position: Prep Cook
• Hourly Rate: $16.00 per hour
• Hours: 40 hours per week
• Season: Summer to Fall
• Industry: Hospitality

What You’ll Be Doing

• Washing, peeling, chopping and portioning fresh vegetables, fruits, meats and other ingredients
• Preparing salads, sauces, soups, dressings and cold dishes according to recipes
• Assisting line cooks and chefs during busy breakfast and dinner services
• Measuring and organizing ingredients so the kitchen runs smoothly
• Keeping prep stations, coolers and equipment clean, organized and up to health and safety standards
• Receiving and storing food deliveries and rotating stock properly
• Working as part of an energetic, international kitchen team

Why Denali State Park?

Alaska isn’t just a destination – it’s a feeling. Your days off will look like a nature documentary:

• Denali (Mt. McKinley) views: The lodge is famous for its unobstructed views of the 6,190 m giant
• Hiking & wildlife: Moose, bears, eagles and endless trails right outside your door
• Midnight sun: Nearly 20 hours of daylight in summer means adventures never have to end
• Rafting, ziplining, fishing and flightseeing: Bucket-list activities in every direction
• Northern lights: As fall arrives, the sky puts on a show you’ll never forget

What You’ll Get

• Competitive pay of $16/hour with a guaranteed 40-hour week
• Employee housing and meal options available on site (details provided by the employer)
• Real experience in a professional U.S. kitchen for your CV
• A truly international team – friends from dozens of countries
• Employee discounts and access to lodge activities and staff events
• Daily English practice in an authentic American work environment

Who We’re Looking For

• University students aged 18–25 eligible for the Work & Travel USA program
• Conversational English skills
• A positive, can-do attitude and willingness to learn
• Ability to stand for long periods and lift moderate weights
• Reliability, punctuality and good teamwork
• Previous kitchen experience is a plus, but passion and enthusiasm matter more
• Comfortable living and working in a remote wilderness location

Ready for Your Alaskan Summer?

Kitchens like this one fill up fast – and there’s only one Denali. Apply today and turn your summer into the story you’ll be telling for the rest of your life.