Culinary Director

Company Description

Camp Laurel South is a highly regarded half-season resident camp located on the scenic shores of Crescent Lake in Maine’s Sebago Lakes region. Known for its warm and inclusive environment, Laurel South offers a dynamic 3.5-week session filled with activities spanning athletics, waterfront, inter-arts, adventure, and more. The camp provides a space where children can explore their interests, develop new skills, and form lasting friendships in a safe, supportive community. Its dedicated team of educators, coaches, and staff from across the U.S. and abroad share a mission of fostering confidence, growth, and enjoyment among all campers. Camp Laurel South is proudly part of The Laurel Camps family.

Role Description

Camp Laurel South is seeking a Culinary Director for an on-site, seasonal leadership role based in Casco, ME. The Culinary Director oversees our dedicated Culinary Program — a fully equipped, state-of-the-art culinary facility where campers elect cooking as one of their daily activities, just as they would basketball, waterskiing, or theater.

This is not a dining hall or food service position. The Culinary Director does not prepare meals for the camp community. Instead, this leader designs and executes an engaging, hands-on culinary curriculum for campers, fostering creativity, skill development, and a love of cooking.

With significant creative freedom, the Culinary Director develops dynamic programming such as pasta made from scratch, baking challenges, international cuisine days, cupcake wars, and other innovative culinary experiences. The role includes supervising and mentoring two in-cabin counselors assigned to the culinary area, maintaining a safe and organized kitchen classroom environment, managing program inventory and supplies, and serving as a member of the camp’s leadership team alongside directors of athletics, waterfront, and other program areas.

This position is ideal for an energetic culinary professional who is passionate about teaching, mentorship, and experiential learning in a youth development setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and lead a comprehensive culinary activity program for campers

• Develop creative, age-appropriate recipes and themed cooking experiences

• Teach fundamental and advanced cooking and baking techniques in a hands-on setting

• Supervise and mentor two culinary staff members

• Maintain a safe, clean, and organized culinary facility

• Manage ordering and inventory of program-specific ingredients and supplies

• Ensure adherence to food safety standards within the instructional kitchen

• Collaborate with fellow program directors and camp leadership

• Create an inclusive, supportive, and enthusiastic learning environment

Qualifications

• Strong culinary skills and passion for cooking and baking

• Experience teaching, mentoring, or leading youth preferred

• Ability to design engaging, hands-on instructional experiences

• Strong organizational and leadership skills

• Creative, energetic, and adaptable mindset

• Experience in recreational, camp, or youth development settings is a plus

• Food safety certification (e.g., ServSafe) preferred but not required