Heat wave got you down? How about a trip somewhere much, much cooler? McMurdo Station is the main scientific base in Antarctica, and they are hiring chefs. Interested? Want to see the Craigslist ad? (But do be warned that Jell-O wrestling is specifically forbidden at McMurdo. If that seems like a non sequitur, then you just need to read the whole story.)
McMurdo Station is a major research facility all the way down at the bottom of the world. Hundreds of scientists work there during the summer (which is of course winter for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere), and a smaller group of staff stays on through the winter. It's a fairly large operation, and full-time chefs are in demand. (I've always had a secret yen to go for a season — just for the life experience!) Here's the job ad. Requirement of note: "Ability to live in extreme winter weather conditions".
• See the job ad: Executive Chef--Antarctica (Centennial & Antarctica) at Denver Craigslist
I actually have secondhand knowledge of McMurdo and of the food there, since my husband works in a field with people who have spent time at McMurdo. We've had dinner party conversations with friends who know its quirks and oddball culture well. I've learned that food there is a fairly utilitarian proposition: Crew working outdoors in Antarctica's punishing conditions need to consume over 6000 calories a day. So the cooking there is really all about the efficient delivery of as many calories as possible. The food, as you might imagine, is not generally known for its tastiness.
And yet food is one of the few avenues of interest and entertainment at McMurdo, especially in the very dark winter months. And not just eating it — some crew members made a station event of Jell-O wrestling for a short time — until they were found out and stopped by the bureaucratic government contractor that runs the place.
The transcript of the meeting, with a hapless bureaucrat trying to explain with dignity just exactly why Jell-O wrestling is against station rules is priceless.
• Read the transcript: The Great McMurdo Jello-Wrestling All-Hands Meeting at Frontier Watch
Related: Cooking at 10,000 Feet: Storm Peak Laboratory
(Image: Byrd Polar Research Center)
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Oh my - the transcript from their meeting kept me laughing for a good ten minutes. Thanks for the link!
I just keep getting flashes of "The Thing" in my head! lol
I had never heard of this before, but it totally made my day.
I admit to having oatmeal wrestled a few times in my life... I wonder if I need to submit a form to have that approved.
jmorri26 - Glad I'm not the only one.
Oh, my gosh, I want this so badly. I wonder how much experience one needs...maybe I could be somebody's sous chef?
Having been there, not as anything having to do with food other than eating much of it, the hours are long like any restaurant but there are usually few complaints as long as it is hearty and healthy. It is usually a struggle to get food workers from dishwashers to chefs. I have met people with Masters and Doctorates washing dishes and wiping tables just for the experience of going to the "Ice".
If you are at all interested, check out http://rayjobs.com/index.cfm?NavID=119&codes=Rayjobs_Home for all the job listings. They are hiring right now.
BruceB
As a current member of the Antarctic Culinary Community, I must retort and say that the staff thrives on the well prepared, excellent food the kitchen workers provide. Working with frozen ingredients at the bottom of the world presents challenges that are met, and overcome.
Also, if you need photo of McMurdo Station after the fall of Communism, please ask. I have many.