Kitchen Artist - Watercolor Cafe
Kitchen Artist Job on Mackinac Island
Kitchen Artist at Watercolor Cafe – Mackinac Island Job Listing (Season 2026)
Company: Watercolor Cafe
Location: Mackinac Island, Michigan
Job Type: Seasonal Starting in May, Flexible Scheduling, Full-Time and Part-Time
Compensation: $15-$20 Hourly + Tips
Housing: Housing available for female employees. For male candidates, preference is given to Island Residents, current Island Employees looking for a second job, or those living on the mainland within driving distance of Mackinac Island.
Job Overview
Spend your summer living and working on Michigan’s most iconic island! We’re looking for outgoing, reliable kitchen artists to join the seasonal team at Watercolor Cafe. If you love meeting new people, creating delicious and beautiful food, and working with views of Lake Huron, this is the job for you! Watercolor Cafe is seeking dedicated individuals to help us enrich the local and visiting community with great food and vibrant customer service in our uniquely curated environment. We operate a high volume, high reward kitchen, offering breakfast and lunch items from quality, ready-to-eat ingredients.
This role focuses on food prep and order assembly, crafting sandwiches, salads, and toasts. The Kitchen Artist plays an essential role in ensuring that every dish served is as visually appealing as it is delicious.
Kitchen Artists are compensated hourly and are included in front-of-the-house tipout. Flexible scheduling with full-time and part-time opportunities available.
Responsibilities
Food Handling: Assemble menu items such as sandwiches, salads, wraps, toasts, and bowls with care and precision, maintaining consistent quality and portion sizes.
Order Fulfillment: Read tickets and prepare customer orders in a timely manner while ensuring accuracy and attention to presentation.
Station Maintenance: Keep the kitchen prep area organized, clean, and fully stocked.
Ingredient Preparation: Assist with prep work to ensure ingredients are ready for service.
Quality Control: Maintain high standards for food safety, sanitation, and overall product quality.
Collaboration: Work closely with other team members to ensure smooth kitchen operations and an efficient workflow during service hours.
Customer Interaction: Engage with guests if needed when running food or to clarify orders or accommodate special requests.
Qualifications
Must be 18 years or older
Previous kitchen or food prep experience preferred, but willing to train the right individual.
An eye for detail.
Ability to work efficiently under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
Accuracy when multitasking.
Strong communication and teamwork skills.
Familiarity with food safety standards and a commitment to maintaining a clean workspace.
About Watercolor Cafe
Watercolor Cafe exists to inspire and support creativity. By offering a welcoming space for connection, nourishment, play, and reflection, our mission is to encourage individuals to create not just art, but a meaningful and fulfilling life. The business was formed in 2019, is woman/artist owned, and is a constant labor of love & work in progress.
About Our Team
Each season, our team consists of 10-15 individuals, including part-time and full-time staff, summer-only and full-season workers, mainland commuters, locals, and J1-visa student workers. Watercolor Cafe boasts an excellent employee retention rate while also welcoming new team members each year. Work-life balance is encouraged, but we expect dedication to the job as our team is small and season is short. We strive to lead with kindness, prioritize communication, and operate with integrity. We hustle but we have a ton of fun together, from bonding within the cafe to frequent staff outings, fostering lifelong friendships along the way.
Pay + Benefits
Competitive hourly pay, plus tips
Free lunch per 8 hour shift
Employee discount on clock & off clock
Complimentary art classes (based on availability)
Paid training
Bonus for full-time, full-season employees
Simple IRA contribution match
Additional Notes
Housing is available for female candidates from May 1 to August 31.
Male candidates must already have on-island housing or be willing to commute to the island.
About Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island is a one-of-a-kind, car-free destination known for its historic charm, stunning lake views, and lively summer season. Working on the island isn’t just a job, it’s a life experience. Learn more about life on Mackinac Island on mackinacworks.com
Apply now to make delicious dishes, make memories, and become part of the Mackinac Island story!
Apply For This Job Below
Please fill out the form below as your official application for this position. Please be as detailed as possible in the “tell us about yourself” section. This is the main way employers weed through and narrow down candidates. By filling out this form, you agree to have your information shared with employers and to allow them to contact you directly.
If we believe you may be the right candidate for this position, we will contact you directly between February 1st and March 16, 2026.
