As the Culinary Manager / Chef, you'll take the lead on keeping our marketplace stocked with fresh, gorgeous and seasonal prepared foods from our on-site farm and local producers. Additionally, you will manage our in-house catering + special events program. Applicants with a background in private chef and/or catering experience are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

You’ll collaborate with Farmette’s founder, Katie Burdett, along with the entire small Farmette team. 

• Lead our culinary program! Develop + cook year-round prepared foods recipes along with seasonal specials. This includes cheese boards, nosh boxes, salads, dips, sandwiches, condiments, and a wide array of other specials.
• Work with sustainably produced + preferably local products.
• Maintain a positive, friendly, calm + welcoming environment for all staff, customers and vendors.
• Maintain quality + consistency of culinary program.
• Keep in mind a low-waste operation and be open to minimizing food waste.
• Ordering ingredients + supplies within Farmette’s budget.
• Keep a clean, sanitary workspace, storage + refrigeration.
• Accept deliveries, check for accuracy of orders.
• Keep an updated recipe book of Farmette’s recipes both in Google Drive and printed on-site. 
• Communicate and coordinate with the kitchen and farm team about inventory, customer feedback, etc.
• Coordinate catering and special events 
• Work with guest chefs on occasion
• Keep the commercial kitchen in compliance with all local health codes and manage inspections with MDARD.
• Other related assignments as necessary.

Requirements

• At least 1 year of culinary management experience, preferably working with farm-fresh produce and seasonal items.
• Learn2Serv certifications for working in + managing others in the kitchen.
• Passion for working with sustainably produced + local products and utilizing surplus.
• Demonstrate the ability to work in a team-driven environment. We are a respectful and positive environment.
• Reliability a must.
• Able to work independently, focused and self-driven.
• Detail oriented.
• Open to feedback with the understanding that the whole team is working towards the same goal.
• Keep a positive and professional attitude with co-workers, customers + vendors.
• Be able to handle the physical work of being on your feet, walking, talking + cleaning. 
• Occasionally lift and move up to 50 lbs.
• Reach, bend and stoop frequently.
• Make cleanliness and food safety a top priority.
• Live within a reasonable driving distance to New Buffalo and have access to reliable transportation.
• We are a non-smoking workplace for the safety of our on-site farm.
• All employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19