Kitchen Helper | H2B Eligible

NOTICE OF JOB OPPORTUNITY

KITCHEN HELPER

MACKINAC ISLAND, MI

Ryba’s Fudge Shops / Pancake House / Seabiscuit Cafe in Mackinac Island, MI, seeks 5 Kitchen Helpers for temporary, full-time employment (04/01/2026 to 11/05/2026).  Duties:  The Kitchen Helpers will support food preparation and general kitchen operations in a restaurant kitchen by performing routine tasks under the direct supervision of a Cook, Chef, or Kitchen Manager. Duties include preparing a variety of basic food items such as vegetables, fruits, meats, poultry, seafood, desserts, and prepared ingredients by washing, peeling, cutting, slicing, chopping, portioning, mixing, or assembling items for cooking or service. They may heat prepared foods, portion or wrap foods, place food on plates or trays, label and store ingredients, rotate stock, and record temperatures of food and storage areas. Kitchen Helpers maintain clean and orderly work areas by washing dishes, glassware, flatware, pots, and pans by hand or using dishwashers; sweeping, mopping, or vacuuming floors; removing trash; cleaning garbage containers; and returning clean equipment, utensils, and cookware to designated storage areas. Additional duties include stocking refrigerators, cupboards, and service areas; carrying supplies, equipment, and utensils between storage and work areas; distributing food to service staff; scraping leftover food from dishes; tending salad bars or buffet service; and adding items such as cutlery, napkins, or food to trays on assembly lines. They may use basic kitchen tools and equipment such as knives, peelers, graters, cutting boards, manual or electric appliances, food processors, slicers, commercial mixers, and thermometers. Kitchen Helpers may also receive and store food supplies, weigh or measure ingredients, and inform supervisors when equipment needs attention or when supplies are running low. During emergencies or rush periods, they may substitute for or assist other Kitchen Helpers at affiliated locations by performing the same routine food-preparation, stocking, cleaning, and dishwashing tasks carried out in their primary worksite. They may also assist cooks and kitchen staff with simple, support-level tasks such as portioning ingredients, preparing basic components for dishes, assembling prep trays, or handing off supplies and utensils as needed. These activities fall within the scope of duties permitted under occupational code 35-2021, Food Preparation Workers.

May perform other job duties pursuant to 35-2021, Food Preparation Workers.

35+ hours/week.  8-hour shifts between 6:00 am and 2:00 pm, 2:00 pm and 10:00 pm or 6:00 pm and 2:00 am.  5 days per week, Sun-Sat.  May work evenings, weekends, holidays, as needed.  Schedule (including workdays) may vary.  May work more than the guaranteed hours.  May work overtime.  OT varies and must be pre-approved.

No formal education, training or experience required.  On-the-job training will be provided.

$14.70/hr; O/T $22.05/hr.  Workers will be paid no less than the wage listed.  Employer may pay higher wage rates to workers based on seniority with employer and level of skill.  Overtime hours may vary.

In accordance with applicable Michigan state law, Earned Sick Time Act 338, employers are required to provide earned sick time to their employees.  The amount of paid sick leave provided may vary depending on the size of the business.

The H-2B Temporary Kitchen Helpers will travel to and perform duties at the following locations owned by Rena’s Fudge Shops, Inc. dba Ryba’s Fudge Shops / Pancake House / Seabiscuit Cafe and its affiliate entities:

7337 Main Street, Mackinac Island, MI 49757

7245 Main Street, Mackinac Island, MI 49757

6966 Main Street, Mackinac Island, MI 49757

7463 Main Street, Mackinac Island, MI 49757

Employer assurances pursuant to 20 CFR 655.20:

• Single work week used in computing wages due.
• Wages paid bi-weekly.
• Work tools, supplies & equipment provided without cost to employee.
• Workers have the option of employer-provided housing for $95 per week, and if elected, employer will deduct costs from worker’s paycheck.Workers also have the option of securing their own lodging.
• Employer will make all deductions from the worker’s paycheck required by law and any non-legally required payroll deductions permitted under the law and requested by Employee.
• If worker is outside of the U.S., employer will arrange & pay directly for transportation & subsistence from place of recruitment to place of work. If worker is in the U.S., upon or before 50% completion of work contract, employer will reimburse the worker for transportation & subsistence from place of recruitment to place of work within five days of receiving the expense receipts.  Employer will issue reimbursement within the first workweek when required to meet FLSA minimum wage obligations.  Upon completion of the work contract or where the worker is dismissed earlier, if the worker has no immediately subsequent H-2B employment, the employer will provide or pay for worker’s reasonable costs of return transportation & subsistence back home or to the place the worker originally departed to work.  The amount of transportation payment or reimbursement will be equal to the most economical & reasonable common carrier for the distances involved.  Daily subsistence will be provided at a rate of at least $16.28 per day during travel to a maximum of $68.00 per day with receipts.
• Employer will reimburse worker in the first work week for all visa, visa processing, border crossing & related fees, incl. those mandated by the government (excluding passport fees).
• The employer guarantees to offer work for hours equal to at least three-fourths of the workdays in each 12-week period of the total employment period.

This position is being posted in connection with a future application for H-2B workers.

Application Process:  Contact the nearest office of Michigan Works (found at: https://www.michiganworks.org/michigan-works-network) or at 1118 East Easterday Avenue, Sault Ste Marie, MI 49783, (906) 635-1752 for referral.  Reference “H-2B Ryba’s Fudge Shops / Pancake House / Seabiscuit Cafe Kitchen Helper.”  Or contact Ryba’s Fudge Shops / Pancake House / Seabiscuit Cafe at ryan@theislandhouse.com or http://www.theislandhouse.com/employment.