Job description

STERLING COLLEGE

Sterling College, a small experiential and ecologically focused liberal arts college in Craftsbury Common, Vermont, invites applications for one full-time position as Assistant Kitchen Manager.

Sterling is located in the heart of Vermont’s burgeoning rural agricultural economy and vibrant local food system.  We welcome applications from inspired practitioners with strong applied skills who are interested in working alongside leading culinary innovators, entrepreneurs, and producers.

STERLING COLLEGE KITCHEN

The Sterling kitchen is unique among institutional kitchens.  We produce all of our food from scratch, from baking bread to making our own stocks and yogurt. Our menu is diverse and includes many home-style favorites as well as creative and international meals. 

The kitchen strives to reflect the values of the community, using a high proportion of Sterling-grown vegetables and meats and buying sustainably-raised and local ingredients when Sterling-grown is not available.  We serve 3 meals per day buffet-style in a single dining hall, feeding 80 – 140 people per meal.  Each meal has one option, and resembles banquet-style dining more than conventional institutional food.  We are managed completely internally at Sterling, without the influence of any outside corporation, contracts or other commitments.

THE POSITION

The ideal candidate is passionate about innovative food systems and has had significant culinary experience.

Responsibilities include supporting the Director of Sustainable Food Systems through scheduling of staff and student workers, daily management of the kitchen, menu planning, cooking, and being central to the culinary communications system. In addition, the Assistant Kitchen Manager maintains a visible presence and active role in the Sterling College community.

Job Responsibilities
Cooking

• 2-3 days/week of cooking for a community of 120+ students, faculty and staff with the assistance of other kitchen staff

Management

• Managing students who work in the kitchen, providing a working/learning environment that is efficient, as well as educational
• Managing the work schedule for kitchen employees and student workers
• Day to to oversight of the kitchen operations

Administrative Duties

• Menu planning: Creating seasonally-based menus that are creative, diverse, delicious and within budget, while also meeting the dietary needs of the Sterling community.
• Placing food orders with 10 – 20 local producers and distributors per week, managing inventory, maintaining relationships with local producers and researching and establishing new relationships

Required Skills

• Excellent professional cooking skills, with a minimum of 3 - 5  years of experience or combined experience and relevant schoolwork
• Organizational, planning and record-keeping skills
• Self motivated and works well both alone and as part of a team
• A passion for working directly with farmers, producers and high quality seasonal products; making and serving nutritionally-balanced and creative meals; and being part of/serving a close-knit and diverse community
• Creative, joy in food

Details

• This is a full-time, hourly position (~40 hours/week)
• Position begins in September/early October, 2011-
• Hours are flexible and to be determined with the kitchen director, but may include mornings, early evenings and/or weekends
• Position requires full shifts of standing and the ability to lift up to 50 lbs
• Sterling College provides equitable pay, and a generous policy of paid vacation and holidays, as well as health insurance, free classes, and other benefits    

We strive to provide a supportive and fun atmosphere and look forward to expanding our team

Compensation

this position is:

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline