Pictured Rocks

Cook Wanted: Summer to Fall on the Shores of Lake Superior

Imagine finishing your shift and walking five minutes to a beach on Lake Superior, watching the sun sink behind sandstone cliffs while your friends from around the world share stories from the day. That’s a regular evening in Grand Marais, Michigan – and it can be your summer.

Pictured Rocks is looking for energetic, reliable Work & Travel students to join the kitchen team as Cooks. Whether you’re already comfortable behind a stove or simply eager to learn fast, this is a hands-on role where you’ll build real culinary skills, real English fluency, and real friendships.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Preparing and cooking menu items to order – grill, fryer, sauté and prep stations
• Getting ingredients ready: chopping, portioning, marinating and stocking your station before service
• Following recipes, portion standards and presentation guidelines so every plate looks great
• Keeping food safety and hygiene standards high (HACCP-style practices, temperature logs, labeling)
• Cleaning as you go – equipment, surfaces, dishes and the walk-in cooler
• Communicating with servers and teammates during busy summer rushes
• Receiving deliveries and helping with inventory rotation (FIFO)

Why Grand Marais, Michigan?

Grand Marais is a small, welcoming harbor village on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula – the gateway to the world-famous Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Think turquoise water, 60-metre cliffs painted in mineral streaks, waterfalls, sand dunes and some of the darkest night skies in the United States (yes, people see the Northern Lights here).

On your days off you can kayak beneath the cliffs, hike sections of the North Country Trail, hunt for Lake Superior agates on the beach, swim at Sable Falls, or take a boat cruise past Chapel Rock. As summer turns to fall, the forests explode into red and gold – one of the most beautiful autumns in America.

The Details

• Position: Cook
• Employer: Pictured Rocks
• Location: E Coast Guard, Grand Marais, Michigan
• Pay: $17.50 per hour
• Hours: 40 hours per week (overtime possible during peak weeks)
• Season: Summer through Fall
• Tips: Not included in this position – your strong hourly rate is guaranteed

What You Get Out of It

• A competitive $17.50/hour wage – excellent for a small-town cost of living
• Guaranteed 40-hour weeks, so you can plan your budget and your travels
• Genuine kitchen experience you can put on your CV anywhere in the world
• Daily English practice with American colleagues and guests
• A tight-knit team environment in one of the most scenic corners of the USA
• Time and money to travel after the season – Chicago, Detroit, Toronto and the Great Lakes are all within reach

What We’re Looking For

• University students aged 18–25 eligible for the J-1 Work & Travel USA program
• Conversational English – enough to understand tickets and communicate with the team
• Previous kitchen, restaurant or food-prep experience is a plus, but a great attitude matters more
• Ability to stand for long shifts and work in a fast, hot environment
• Reliability, punctuality and a team-first mindset
• Willingness to stay through the full season, including the fall period
• Comfortable living in a small, remote village – this is nature, not nightlife

Ready to trade lecture halls for Lake Superior? Places on this program fill quickly – apply today and start planning the summer you’ll be talking about for years.