Holiday Cook / Family Assistant – Aspen, CO

Holiday Cook / Family Assistant – Aspen, CO JOB HIGHLIGHT A wonderful family visiting Aspen, Colorado over the holiday season is seeking a warm, capable, and experienced Holiday Cook / Family Assistant to support a special family reunion and holiday celebration. The ideal candidate is first and foremost a great cook who is comfortable preparing meals for both children and adults, while also being happy to pitch in with family support, shopping, errands, children, and occasional holiday entertaining. This is a fun, busy household environment with multiple family members and children ranging in age from 7–15. Grandparents will also be present to assist with the children, so this is not a traditional nanny position. The primary focus will be cooking and helping the family have an enjoyable, well-organized holiday. JOB DESCRIPTION The Holiday Cook / Family Assistant will prepare fresh meals for the family throughout their Aspen stay, assist with grocery shopping and meal planning, and provide general family support as needed. The family is flexible regarding meals and is open to food that works for both children and adults. On some days, the family may choose to cater or order out, in which case the candidate will help with food setup, serving, and cleanup. The property has housekeeping services, so housekeepers will handle the primary post-dinner cleaning. The candidate should simply be comfortable keeping the kitchen and food-preparation areas organized and assisting with reasonable meal-related cleanup. SCHEDULE & COMPENSATION Estimated Dates: December 24 – January 2 Location: Aspen, CO 81611 Position: Part-time / Holiday Seasonal Typical Hours: Approximately 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM daily Compensation: $35–$40+/hour, negotiable DOE Live-out No relocation assistance No health benefits or 401(k) Household Environment: Casual The family may be flexible with scheduling on days when excursions or other activities are planned. There may also be an opportunity for two candidates to share certain days, with each working approximately 4–5 hours. In this scenario, one person may focus primarily on cooking while the other assists with children, errands, setup, and general family support. RESPONSIBILITIES Cooking & Meal Preparation • Prepare fresh, delicious meals for children and adults. • Plan meals around the family's preferences and daily activities. • Prepare simple, kid-friendly options for younger children who may be selective about foods and textures. • Prepare breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner, or other meals as needed during scheduled hours. • Cook from scratch when appropriate. • Coordinate menus and meal timing with the family. • Grocery shop and source ingredients. • Keep the kitchen organized during meal preparation. • Assist with food setup and presentation when meals are catered or ordered in. • Assist with reasonable kitchen cleanup following meals. Family & Child Support • Provide general support with children ages 7–15 as needed. • Assist with activities, supervision, transitions, and general family needs. • Work collaboratively with grandparents and other family members. • Provide additional support during busy holiday days and family activities. • Be comfortable working with children who may have additional support needs. Shopping & Errands • Grocery shopping and food sourcing. • Pick up prepared food, catering, or other items as needed. • Run local errands and assist with holiday-related shopping. • Drive children or family members as needed, when appropriate. Holiday Entertaining • Assist with holiday meals and family celebrations. • Help set up food and beverages for catered or ordered-in meals. • Assist with serving and maintaining a smooth meal experience. • Support informal entertaining and family gatherings. • Help organize the kitchen and dining areas following meals. REQUIREMENTS • Strong professional cooking experience with excellent references. • Must genuinely enjoy cooking and take pride in preparing great food. • Comfortable preparing meals for both adults and children. • Experience working with families, children, or private households strongly preferred. • Comfortable working with multiple children and extended family members. • Calm, flexible, upbeat, and able to adapt in a busy holiday environment. • Proactive and self-sufficient while also comfortable taking direction. • Valid driver's license and reliable transportation. • Vetted professional references required. • Advanced third-party background check required ($60 paid by client). • Livescan/background screening may also be completed as applicable. IDEAL CANDIDATE The ideal candidate is a talented, versatile cook who genuinely enjoys being around families. This person should be warm, energetic, flexible, and comfortable jumping in wherever needed. Experience working with large families, private households, vacation homes, family reunions, or busy holiday gatherings would be especially helpful. The family would particularly value someone who is an excellent cook, enjoys preparing food for different ages and preferences, understands that holiday schedules can change from day to day, and is happy to pitch in with errands, shopping, family assistance, and entertaining. ADDITIONAL DETAILS Start Date: December 24 End Date: January 2 Location: Aspen, CO 81611 Position Type: Part-time / Holiday Seasonal Schedule: Approximately 8:00 AM–4:00 PM daily, with flexibility on excursion days Compensation: $35–$40+/hour, negotiable DOE Live-out Benefits: None Relocation: Not covered Household Style: Casual Children: Ages 7–15 Special Diets: None Known Allergies: None HOUSEHOLD DUTIES General household management: As needed Manage other household staff: No Home office support: No Cooking: Yes – primary responsibility Laundry/Ironing: No Shopping: Yes Driving/Errands: Yes Help with family/kids/pets: Yes Table service/parties: Yes Catering/food setup: Yes SPECIAL NOTES The family is celebrating a holiday family reunion, so the household may be busier than a typical private residence. Grandparents will be present and will assist with the children. The family may alternate between home-cooked meals, catered meals, and ordering out depending on the day's activities. Younger children are selective eaters and generally prefer simple foods without a lot of texture. On excursion days, the family may order food rather than have the candidate cook. There may also be an opportunity for two candidates to split certain days into 4–5 hour shifts, with one candidate primarily focused on cooking. The property has housekeeping services, so this position is not responsible for full-house cleaning or post-dinner housekeeping. Vetted references and background screening are required. Most importantly, the family would love to find a great cook!