WHO WE ARE
Lindblad Expeditions is a true pioneer in Expedition Travel. From taking the first citizen explorers to Antarctica in 1966, opening the Galapagos and Easter Island to tourism in 1967, leading the first tourist expedition through the Northwest Passage in 1984, and launching our innovative partnership with National Geographic in 2004, we're now taking almost 30,000 guests a year to some of the world’s most remote and pristine locations on our fleet of 20 ships, and are committed to ensuring our guests experience the “Exhilaration of Discovery”.
ABOUT THE ROLE
As Chef de Partie aboard a Lindblad Expeditions vessel, you’ll take a key role in the preparation of high-quality meals — with a special focus on cooking daily crew meals that are nourishing, balanced, and executed with care. You’ll also assist the Head and Sous Chef with guest meal prep, buffet setups, canapés, and action station service, and may be called on to help with inventory, provisioning, and sanitation efforts. This is a hands-on, fast-paced role that requires strong culinary fundamentals, solid time management, and a collaborative mindset.
The ideal candidate is organized, detail-oriented, and confident managing multiple tasks in a high-volume environment. You should also be ready to step up and support the galley team as needed — including leading others or filling in for more senior roles when necessary. This is a full-time, rotational position working approximately 12 hours per day on an 8 weeks on / 4 weeks off schedule.
Candidates must be genuinely prepared for sustained physical demand in a remote, at-sea environment before applying.
WORK SCHEDULE
Chefs work an average of 12 hours per day, every day, with no days off throughout your 8-week rotation onboard.
LIVING CONDITIONS
Crew quarters are compact and shared — you will bunk with one or two roommates for the full duration of your rotation, with minimal personal space. The vessel operates in remote locations with limited or no port access between expeditions, so cell service and internet may be unavailable for extended periods. You must bring a sufficient supply of any prescription medications, as refills cannot be obtained while underway.
This lifestyle suits people who are adaptable, self-sufficient, and genuinely energized by close-knit team environments and remote travel. If those conditions sound like a challenge rather than an adventure, this may not be the right fit.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
This is a physically demanding role performed in a moving marine environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, bend, kneel, squat, and climb steep interior stairs repeatedly throughout a 12-hour shift — including during periods of significant vessel motion. The employee must regularly lift and carry items up to 50 pounds. Work rotates continuously across cabin cleaning, dishwashing, laundry, and food service, often without extended breaks. Work is performed in confined spaces and high-humidity environments including the galley.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES Food Preparation:
- Assists the Head Chef, Sous Chef, Line Cook, and Pantry Chef, in the preparation of all guest and crew meals following company menu matrix and recipes.
- Participates in the actual cooking and preparation of breakfast, lunch and dinner; meat, fish dishes, vegetarian options, side dishes for both guest and crew meals.
- Working the action station during meal periods; Example but not limited to; Omelets, carving stations and the sauté action station.
- Primary responsibilities include buffet action station, crew meal preparation and execution, canapes and appetizers as well as prepping, portioning, and cleaning.
- Assisting in setting up/ break down of the hot line.
- Assisting during plating breakfast, lunch and dinners with Sous Chef, Line Cook.
- Assists Head Chef in training, and developing of the Pantry Chefs, and galley dishwashers, by following company policies, and menus.
Cleaning:
- Helps maintain the cleanliness of the galley area and food storage rooms.
- Adheres to all CDC Vessel Sanitation Program and Health Canada requirements.
- Assists in dishwashing as needed and/or assigned.
Food Stores:
- Assists in loading, handling and proper storage of food and related items to maintain inventory at appropriate stocking levels and to ensure proper rotation of perishable and non perishable food items.
Safety and Security
- Participates in on board safety training, meetings and drills, as directed by the Captain, including fire, abandon ship, man overboard, flooding and medical emergencies.
- Adheres to Company’s policy on uniform, to promote company’s image, safety, and standards.
- Participates in shore side training as required by the company.
- Familiar with the ISM codes and requirements.
- Maintains familiarity with all duties under the company Safety Management System and Emergency Station Billet duties.
Desired qualifications
- Completion of formal training at a culinary school preferred.
- Minimum of 3 years’ experience working within the culinary team on board passenger ships preferred
- Must have the ability to work on their feet in a galley of high temperature for 10-12 hours a day for the duration of the rotation
- Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds on a regular basis
- Good time management skills; ability to handle multiple tasks, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
- Detail oriented and thorough; able to follow through on assigned tasks.
- Must be able to stay calm and clear headed under stressful situations
- Ability to step up when needed, and act as Sous Chef should the need arise.
- Good supervisory skills set, and ability to work develop others
- Ability to get along with co-workers and support a team environment.
- Ability to communicate successfully with galley team members; and office personnel
- Ability to work independently using creativity and initiative to complete assigned tasks.
- Work well under pressure in a high volume, fast pace environment
- Ability to have guest interaction and communicate with them the vision of the department, and program
- Experience with passenger vessels preferred.
Licenses/Certificates
- Current First Aid/CPR/AED certification required.
- STCW Basic Safety Training required.
- STCW Crowd Management required, training provided.
- STCW Maritime Security Awareness required, training provided.
- Transportation Workers ID Card (TWIC) required.
- USCG Medical Certificate required, training provided.
Our Benefits
Health insurance including Medical, Dental, Vision
401(k) plan with employer match
Room and board when scheduled
Travel Day Pay
Travel Expenses Paid
Travel benefits for employees and their family
Uniforms Provided
Training Opportunities
Employment is contingent on the following:
- In compliance with U.S. Coast Guard Regulations, 46 CFR Parts 4, 5, and 16, you will be required to undergo the following drug tests: post-offer prior to start date, random, reasonable cause, and serious marine incident per US Federal guidelines.
- Pre-offer background check; employment is contingent upon the results of this screening.
- Post-offer physical examination; your employment is dependent upon being determined fit for sea duty.
Continued employment is dependent upon consent to and passing these tests.
Lindblad Expeditions continues to highly recommend that all new hires be up to date with all vaccines prior to the first day of employment and getting boosted annually when eligible, including those vaccines that protect against COVID-19. All crew must still comply with all country-specific vaccination requirements.
Communication Skills
Using the English language, this person must have the ability to read, write, and comprehend policies, legal guidelines, correspondence, and memos. Must also possess the ability to effectively communicate--both in writing and orally--with a professional demeanor.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear. The employee will also be required to write and type. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The physical demands per position are described in the Job Analysis sheet and are available to all applicants upon request.
COMPENSATION STATEMENT
Lindblad Expeditions determines the pay for positions using local, national, and industry-specific survey data. We evaluate external equity and the cost of labor/prevailing wage index in the relative marketplace for jobs directly comparable to jobs within our company. Our posted salary range is based on national data and may be refined for a candidate's region/town/cost of living.
For new hires, we strive to make competitive offers allowing the new employee room for future growth. Salaries will be based on the applicant’s location, level of experience, education, and specialized knowledge and skills. An employee/candidate with a stronger skill set will receive higher pay.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER STATEMENT
At Lindblad Expeditions, we simply could not do our work without the diverse kaleidoscope of humanity that creates and delivers our remarkable offerings across the planet. As a Company that respects and celebrates the inherent diversity in the places we explore, we recognize the need to mirror that same diversity and all the interconnected perspectives within our organization. We are committed to building a community of different genders, races, ages, sexual orientations, chosen identities, and countries of origin where every person brings their whole self to work and whose skills, talents, and abilities are valued. We believe we can explore further and in a more meaningful way by actively creating a more diverse and inclusive organization where everyone feels they belong.
Lindblad Expeditions is an equal opportunity employer. Individuals seeking employment at Lindblad Expeditions are considered without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetics, marital status, pregnancy, unemployment status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or veteran status.
