Prep/Line Cook
Turn Up the Heat on Your American Summer
Ever dreamed of standing behind a sizzling grill in a classic American family restaurant, plating up pancakes, burgers and homemade comfort food for friendly locals? C&J’s Family Restaurant in Howard City, Michigan is looking for energetic international students to join their kitchen team as Prep/Line Cooks this Summer to Fall season. If you love fast-paced environments, teamwork and the satisfaction of a perfectly timed order, this is your ticket to a genuine Work & Travel USA experience.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Preparing ingredients for daily service – washing, chopping, portioning and organizing produce, proteins and sides
- Cooking to order on the line: grill, fryer, flat-top and sauté stations
- Plating dishes to the restaurant’s presentation standards and keeping tickets moving during busy rushes
- Following food safety, sanitation and HACCP-style hygiene procedures
- Stocking and rotating products, checking deliveries and monitoring inventory levels
- Cleaning workstations, equipment and the kitchen area at the end of each shift
- Supporting your fellow cooks and communicating clearly with the front-of-house team
Position Snapshot
- Employer: C&J’s Family Restaurant
- Position: Prep/Line Cook
- Location: S Ensley, Howard City, Michigan
- Pay Rate: $13.73 per hour
- Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week
- Season: Summer to Fall
- Tips: Not applicable for this position
Discover Howard City & West Michigan
Howard City is a welcoming small town in Montcalm County, right in the heart of West Michigan – the kind of place where staff know regulars by name and newcomers are treated like family. You’ll be surrounded by lakes, forests and trails perfect for swimming, kayaking, cycling and weekend campfires. Grand Rapids, Michigan’s vibrant second city, is a short drive away with craft breweries, art festivals, museums and a lively music scene. Head west and you’ll reach the legendary Lake Michigan beaches and dunes – Muskegon, Grand Haven and Silver Lake are all within easy reach for classic American summer days by the water.
Why You’ll Love This Job
- Solid, reliable pay at $13.73/hour with a consistent 40-hour schedule
- Real culinary skills you can put on your CV – knife work, line cooking, food safety
- Small-town hospitality: a supportive, close-knit team that will help you settle in
- Daily conversation with American colleagues and customers to boost your English fast
- Weekends and days off to explore Michigan’s lakes, dunes and cities
- An authentic Work & Travel USA cultural exchange experience, not just a job
What We’re Looking For
- University students aged 18–25 with valid J-1 Work & Travel sponsorship
- Conversational English – enough to understand tickets and communicate with the team
- Some kitchen or cooking experience is a big plus, but a strong willingness to learn matters most
- Ability to stand for long shifts in a hot, fast-paced kitchen and lift moderate weights
- Punctual, reliable, hygienic and a genuine team player
- Flexibility to work mornings, evenings, weekends and holidays
Ready to trade lecture halls for a busy American kitchen? Apply now for the Prep/Line Cook position at C&J’s Family Restaurant and make this Summer-to-Fall season the story you’ll tell for years.
About Michigan
Michigan's Great Lakes shores, Mackinac Island and resort towns make for a classic lakeside summer. Students work in island hotels, resorts and restaurants surrounded by beaches and forests.
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