Kitchen Expo / Prep Cook Summer 2026

Coons Franklin Lodge is seeking a versatile and energetic Kitchen Expo / Prep Cook for the summer season of 2026. Located on the picturesque Trout Lake, our historic lodge has been providing exceptional hospitality and gourmet dining experiences since 1892. This role offers the opportunity to be an integral part of our culinary team, ensuring smooth kitchen operations and helping to deliver outstanding meals to our guests.

As a Kitchen Expo / Prep Cook, you will be responsible for preparing ingredients, assisting with food preparation, and coordinating between the kitchen and the front-of-house staff to ensure timely and accurate meal delivery. Your role will require strong communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Prepare ingredients and assist chefs with prep work to support daily menu requirements.
• Coordinate orders between kitchen and dining staff, ensuring proper timing and accuracy.
• Inspect dishes before service to guarantee quality and presentation standards are met.
• Maintain a clean and organized workstation and assist in kitchen sanitation tasks.
• Communicate effectively with team members to manage workflow during peak hours.
• Assist with inventory management and restocking as needed.

• Previous experience in kitchen prep or expo roles is preferred.
• Excellent communication and multitasking abilities.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail.
• Strong organizational skills and teamwork mentality.
• Flexibility to work various shifts including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Physical stamina to stand for extended periods and lift heavy items as required.

The Employee Experience

One of the best parts of working at Coons is that we offer dorm-style housing. Some of our rooms are right on the water with breathtaking views of the lake.

Mornings are busy for our staff with our wood and ice service to each cabin, breakfast and lunch service, waterfront and housekeeping. Most staff is off in the afternoons before dinner service. This is the best time to be off work and either sitting on the dock, waterskiing or hitting the bike trails. Our most successful employees return year after year because of the hospitality and respect they are shown by the Coons family.

Ideal Candidate

An ideal candidate is someone who can take ownership over their job duties and operates with integrity and respect for themselves and their co-workers. The Coons family wants you to enjoy this little slice of heaven as much as our guests do.

Room and Board

We provide FREE dorm-style housing and 3 staff meals a day. We can accommodate most dietary requests.

Employee Perks

Fun Things to Do at Coons When Off Duty

We highly encourage all our staff to make use of the beautiful Northwoods and the resort activities available while not working. How often do you get to live at a resort?

Activities:

There is a beautiful trail winding throughout the resort property. Biking, jogging, and hiking are very popular. Everyone is welcome to explore. Basketball is a favorite.

Tennis Courts:

There are four courts on the premises. During the time the courts are not in use, all employees are welcome to take advantage of the courts. We ask the following things: Permission is needed, proper tennis attire is required (whites), tennis shoes only, no running shoes. Should any guest want to come and use the courts, vacate the court promptly and courteously.

Waterfront:

Trout Lake is one of Wisconsin’s finest. There are two docks located on the waterfront. The swimming dock is for guest use only. All employees are welcome to use the boat dock. Employees are welcome to use the following equipment: sailing, water-skiing, canoes, rowboats, and kayaks. No motor boats. You must check out all equipment with the proper resort personnel. Once again, guests have first preference.

Golf:

Trout Lake Golf Course is located 2 miles north of the resort off HWY 51. We get a 20% discount! For more information see: http://www.troutlakegolf.com/main.html

Yoga: Staff can join in our guest Yoga class In the Lodge, Tuesdays at 10am. You must pre-register with Emily or Sarah due to limited spots available.

Getting Here and Getting Around

We are located about 10 miles from the towns of Woodruff and Minocqua. I would say about 50% of our bring an automobile with them. There is minimal public transportation and biking on the highway is discouraged.

For Fun

Fun Things to Do in the Area

Music in The Park- Sunday Nights in Manitowish

https://manitowishwaters.org/things-to-do/music-in-the-park/

Big Top Chautauqua- Although a little bit faraway, but world-renowned musical venue:

https://www.bigtop.org/

Hiking

Map it Vilas County. Great app to find hiking spots to meet your needs:

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/map-it-vilas-county/id881933385

Biking

• Trails:
• Vilas County has some of the best paved trail biking in the state: https://biketheheart.org/bike-trail-map/
• Win-Man https://www.winmantrails.com/
• Bike Rentals: Coontail: https://coontail.com/pages/rental-rates-2022