Chippewa Hotel Waterfront and Pink Pony Restaurant
Job offers
Cook/Cook Assistant/Prep Cook
Cook the Summer of Your Life on Mackinac Island
Imagine a place where cars are banned, horse-drawn carriages clip-clop past Victorian porches, and the smell of fresh fudge drifts down the main street. That place is Mackinac Island, Michigan – one of America's most beloved summer destinations – and it's where you'll be living and working as a Cook, Cook Assistant or Prep Cook at the Chippewa Hotel Waterfront and the world-famous Pink Pony Restaurant.
The Pink Pony is a legend on the Great Lakes: sailors from the Chicago-to-Mackinac race, families on holiday and island locals all gather on its waterfront deck for burgers, whitefish, and sunsets over Lake Huron. If you love the energy of a busy kitchen and want a summer story nobody else at university can beat, this is your job.
What You'll Be Doing
- Preparing ingredients: washing, peeling, chopping vegetables, portioning proteins and making sauces, soups and salads
- Cooking dishes on the line (grill, fryer, sauté) according to recipes and quality standards
- Plating dishes attractively and getting orders out quickly during busy service
- Following food safety, hygiene and HACCP-style sanitation rules at all times
- Receiving deliveries, rotating stock and keeping storage areas organised
- Cleaning your station, equipment and kitchen at the end of each shift
- Working as part of an international team with American chefs and supervisors
Position Details
- Employer: Chippewa Hotel Waterfront & Pink Pony Restaurant
- Position: Cook / Cook Assistant / Prep Cook
- Location: Mackinac Island, Michigan, USA
- Pay: $11.67 per hour
- Hours: approximately 40 hours per week
- Season: Summer to Fall
- Tips: Not applicable for this position
Why Mackinac Island?
Mackinac Island is a 3.8-square-mile island in the straits between Lake Huron and Lake Michigan, reachable only by ferry or small plane. There are no cars – you'll get around by bicycle, just like everyone else. Between shifts you can cycle the 8-mile shoreline road, swim in the crystal-clear water, hike to Arch Rock, explore Fort Mackinac, taste the island's famous fudge, and watch spectacular sunsets from the harbour.
The island's summer workforce is made up of hundreds of students from all over the world, so you'll instantly become part of a huge, friendly international community. Evenings mean bonfires, beach hangouts, staff parties and lifelong friendships. And when your programme ends, Chicago, Detroit and Toronto are all within reach for travelling.
What You'll Gain
- Real, paid experience in a high-volume American kitchen – excellent for your CV
- Fast improvement in your English, especially professional kitchen vocabulary
- A steady 40-hour schedule with the possibility of extra hours in peak season
- Employer support with housing and orientation on the island
- Friends from dozens of countries and a summer you'll talk about for years
Who We're Looking For
- University students aged 18–25 eligible for the Work & Travel USA (J-1) programme
- Conversational English – enough to understand tickets, recipes and instructions
- Some kitchen or cooking experience is a big plus, but a strong willingness to learn matters most for prep/assistant roles
- Physically fit: able to stand for long shifts, lift up to 20 kg and work in a hot, fast-paced kitchen
- Reliable, punctual, clean and a genuine team player
- Flexible availability including evenings, weekends and holidays
- Comfortable living on a small island where bikes replace cars
Ready to Apply?
Positions at Mackinac Island's most iconic restaurant fill up early every season. Apply now, secure your place in the Pink Pony kitchen, and turn your summer break into an unforgettable American adventure.
Dishwasher
Work Where America Comes on Vacation – Mackinac Island, Michigan
Imagine spending your summer on an island where cars are banned, horse-drawn carriages clip-clop down Main Street, fudge shops perfume the air, and the Great Lakes stretch out in every shade of blue. That's Mackinac Island – and the Chippewa Hotel Waterfront and its world-famous Pink Pony Restaurant sit right in the heart of it, on the harbor's edge.
We're looking for energetic university students to join our kitchen team as Dishwashers for the Summer to Fall season. If you like fast pace, teamwork, and finishing your shift knowing you were the backbone of the operation, this is your job.
What You'll Be Doing
- Operating commercial dishwashing machines to clean dishes, glassware, silverware, and cookware
- Hand-washing pots, pans, and large kitchen equipment
- Keeping the dish area, sinks, and floors clean, organized, and safe
- Sorting and stacking clean items and returning them to the kitchen and service stations
- Taking out trash, breaking down boxes, and assisting with recycling
- Supporting chefs and servers during busy service periods and helping with basic prep when needed
- Following all health, hygiene, and food-safety standards
The Details
- Position: Dishwasher
- Employer: Chippewa Hotel Waterfront & Pink Pony Restaurant
- Location: Mackinac Island, Michigan, USA
- Pay: $9.72 per hour
- Hours: approx. 40 hours per week (overtime often available in peak season)
- Season: Summer to Fall
- Tips: Not applicable for this position
Why Mackinac Island?
Mackinac Island is one of the most beloved summer destinations in the United States – a National Historic Landmark with Victorian architecture, Fort Mackinac, an 8-mile shoreline bike loop, and sunsets over the Mackinac Bridge. Hundreds of international students work here every season, which means an instant, buzzing community of new friends from all over the world. Bikes replace buses, the beach replaces the metro, and your commute is a five-minute walk.
Staying into the fall means you'll also see the island in its quietest, most beautiful season – crisp air, golden forests, and fewer crowds.
What We Offer
- Steady 40-hour weeks with reliable, on-time pay
- Employer-supported housing on the island (details confirmed during placement)
- Employee meals during shifts
- Friendly, multicultural team and experienced supervisors who train you from day one
- Real U.S. hospitality experience for your CV – a great reference from a landmark property
- Time off to explore the island, swim, bike, and travel the USA after your program ends
What We're Looking For
- University students aged 18–25 on a valid J-1 Work & Travel USA visa
- Basic conversational English
- Strong work ethic, reliability, and a positive attitude
- Ability to stand for long shifts and lift up to 20 kg
- Team players who stay calm when the kitchen gets busy
- No previous experience required – we'll teach you everything
Ready for the Best Summer of Your Life?
Spots on Mackinac Island fill up fast every season. Apply now to secure your place at the Chippewa Hotel Waterfront and Pink Pony Restaurant, and get ready to trade lecture halls for lakeside sunsets.
Host
Welcome Guests to One of America's Most Iconic Island Destinations
Imagine spending your summer on an island where cars are banned, horse-drawn carriages clip-clop down Main Street, and the sun sets over the Straits of Mackinac right outside your workplace window. The Chippewa Hotel Waterfront and its world-famous Pink Pony Restaurant are looking for energetic, friendly university students to join their front-of-house team as Hosts for the Work & Travel USA season.
The Pink Pony is not just a restaurant – it's a Mackinac Island institution. Known as the finish-line celebration spot for the Chicago-to-Mackinac sailing race, it welcomes thousands of guests each season with live music, lakeside views and unforgettable energy. As a Host, you are the face of that experience.
What You'll Be Doing
- Greeting guests with a warm welcome and seating them efficiently
- Managing the waitlist, reservations and table rotation during busy service
- Answering guest questions about the menu, the hotel and the island
- Coordinating with servers, bartenders and management to keep service flowing smoothly
- Keeping the host stand, menus and entrance area clean and organized
- Assisting with light front-of-house support tasks as needed
Position Details
- Position: Host
- Employer: Chippewa Hotel Waterfront and Pink Pony Restaurant
- Location: Mackinac Island, Michigan
- Pay: $10.96 per hour
- Hours: approximately 40 hours per week
- Season: Summer to Fall
- Tips: Not applicable for this position
Why Mackinac Island?
Mackinac Island is a car-free, fudge-scented paradise in Lake Huron, connecting Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas. You'll bike the 8-mile shoreline road, explore historic Fort Mackinac, swim in crystal-clear water and live in a tight-knit international student community. Hundreds of Work & Travel students arrive every summer, so making friends from all over the world is guaranteed. The island is also famous for its Victorian architecture, Arch Rock and, of course, its legendary fudge.
What You'll Gain
- Real hospitality experience at a nationally recognized waterfront property
- Fluent, confident English through daily guest interaction
- A genuinely social summer with students from dozens of countries
- Employer-supported housing options typical for island seasonal staff
- Great CV material and international references
Who We're Looking For
- University students aged 18–25 eligible for the Work & Travel USA program
- Conversational to good English – you'll be talking with guests all day
- A naturally friendly, outgoing personality and a big smile
- Ability to stay calm and organized during busy dinner rushes
- Comfortable standing for long shifts and working weekends and holidays
- Reliable, punctual and ready to work as part of a team
Spots on Mackinac Island fill up fast every season. If you want a summer of sunsets over the water, new friendships and a story you'll tell for years – apply now for the Host position at the Chippewa Hotel Waterfront and Pink Pony Restaurant.
Housekeeper
Work & Travel USA on Michigan's Most Magical Island
Imagine waking up to the sound of horse-drawn carriages, the smell of fresh fudge drifting down Main Street, and the sparkling blue water of Lake Huron just steps from your front door. That's everyday life on Mackinac Island, Michigan – a car-free island where bicycles rule the roads and history meets postcard-perfect scenery.
The Chippewa Hotel Waterfront, home of the world-famous Pink Pony Restaurant & Bar, is looking for energetic university students to join its Housekeeping team for the Summer to Fall season. This is your chance to earn dollars, practice your English every single day, and build friendships with students from all over the world.
What You'll Be Doing
- Cleaning and refreshing guest rooms to the hotel's high standards – making beds, changing linens, and arranging amenities
- Vacuuming, dusting, and sanitizing bathrooms and living areas
- Restocking housekeeping carts and managing linen and supply inventory
- Keeping hallways, lobbies, and public spaces spotless and welcoming
- Reporting maintenance issues and lost-and-found items to your supervisor
- Greeting guests with a smile and helping create a five-star island experience
Why You'll Love This Job
- $11.52 per hour – solid, reliable pay with weekly paychecks
- Tips included – guests love to show their appreciation, so your real earnings go higher
- 35 hours per week guaranteed, with the possibility of extra hours during peak season
- Waterfront location right in the heart of downtown Mackinac Island
- A friendly, international team and a supportive management style
- Free time to explore Mackinac Island State Park, Arch Rock, Fort Mackinac, and the 8-mile shoreline bike trail
- Easy access to Michigan travel adventures – Detroit, Chicago, and the Great Lakes are all within reach after your program
Life on Mackinac Island
With no cars allowed since 1898, Mackinac Island is unlike anywhere else in America. Students bike everywhere, swim in Lake Huron, watch sunsets from the boardwalk, and gather at legendary spots like the Pink Pony after shifts. The island's international student community is huge and welcoming – you'll never feel far from home.
What We're Looking For
- University students aged 18–25 eligible for the Work & Travel USA J-1 program
- Conversational English skills
- Reliable, detail-oriented, and physically able to be active during your shift
- Positive attitude and willingness to work weekends and holidays
- Available for the full Summer to Fall season
Spots on Mackinac Island fill fast every season – apply today and make this summer the one you'll talk about 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.