Company description

Who We Are

Shelburne Farms is an education nonprofit on a mission to inspire and cultivate learning for a sustainable future. We offer transformative learning experiences to help educators and students create a better world.  Our home campus is a 1,400-acre working farm located on the traditional, unceded and contemporary homelands of the Winooskik band of the Abenaki.  
What We Do

• Engage youth and people of all ages in learning experiences that inspire them to build just, diverse, resilient, caring communities.
• Steward our working lands and heritage buildings as we embody values of place and community through caring for and sharing our natural, agricultural, cultural, and human resources.
• Collaborate with educators and other local, national, and international partners to advance education for sustainability worldwide

Commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Shelburne Farms recognizes that justice, equity, and access are central to sustainability. We are committed to translating these values into action across the organization by improving equitable outcomes in our culture, programs, and services.  Shelburne Farms is working to create experiences of belonging for all, including BIPOC, LGBTQ+ communities, people with disabilities, and people of all economic realities. We are passionate about building and sustaining a diverse and welcoming working and learning environment for all program participants, guests, and staff.

 

Job description

Who we are Looking For

You’ll be supporting an experience with thoughtfully sourced and prepared meals, where program participants and guests can engage with the concepts of sustainability through their food. Using food to tell the stories of sustainability is a powerful way to connect to the farming practices, culture and the environmental impact of their meal and inspire action.  

You will be helping to build connections to the rich agricultural community of our regions by sourcing from local farms and producers, understanding the importance of healthy soil and composting, and exploring the impact that food waste has on climate change. These are just a few examples of ways that a simple and thoughtfully prepared menu can spark a conversation and enhance a transformative learning experience.  

What you will do

As the Farm Functions Chef, you will play an integral role in the culinary experience for Shelburne Farms' educational programs and farm guests, creating menus that not only nourish but also educate. You will design and prepare meals that connect people to the farm, the agricultural community of our region, and the concepts of sustainability. The food you help prepare will be a key component of the transformative learning experiences, sparking conversation around the importance of healthy soil, composting, food waste reduction, and climate-conscious eating.  Your work will be instrumental in building a connection between our guests and the land, creating a lasting impact through both taste and knowledge.

Key Responsibilities:
Collaboration 

• Build and nurture relationships with the Shelburne Farms Market Garden Team, Shelburne Farms Cheesemakers and Dairy team, local farmers and food producers.
• Collaborate with the Market Garden Manager and Executive Chef to highlight seasonal crops on menus, fostering a deeper connection between our guests and agricultural practices.
• Partner with the Catering Coordinator, Farm Event and Function Coordinator, Director of Community Programs and Events, and the Food and Beverage Manager to ensure seamless event execution.
• Engage with program participants and guests, to share insight into the meals being served and collect feedback to impact future meals.
• Lead a small team of seasonal kitchen staff in preparing family style or buffet meals from scratch utilizing in-season, farm fresh and local products whenever possible.
• Practice and train staff on proper food safety techniques in handling, organizing, storage and maintenance of supplies, and the overall cleanliness of the kitchen.

Menu Development and Preparation

• Consider a range of options, dietary allergies, preferences and restrictions that ensures everyone can share in the full meal experience. These meals will serve various program and event group sizes of anywhere from 10 - 100 people, including a food truck which will offer lunch and snacks to the public at the Farm Yard.
• Highlight Shelburne Farms products - maple syrup, vegetables, fruits, cheese and pastured meat and eggs.
• Design meals that support the educational goals of Shelburne Farms, with a focus on the connections between food, farming practices, and environmental impact.
• Craft thoughtful, climate-conscious menus that incorporate local meats and produce for low-carbon footprint dishes, while minimizing waste and utilizing sustainable cooking techniques.
• Contribute to the planning and execution of special events, workshops, and seasonal programs that showcase local agriculture and sustainability.
• Design meals for large group gatherings, farm tours, and community dinners, ensuring that every aspect of the meal supports Shelburne Farms’ educational mission.

Sustainability Alignment

• Emphasize locally sourced ingredients to develop seasonal menus that reflect the principles of sustainability to support local agriculture, reduce carbon footprints, and offer fresh, flavorful meals.  
• Help lead our kitchen through sustainable culinary practices such as reducing food waste, composting, and utilizing every part of an ingredient.
• Help manage kitchen operations to minimize environmental impact, including sourcing products with low environmental impact, purchasing items in bulk to minimize packaging waste, reducing the use of harsh cleaning chemicals, maximizing energy efficient appliances and using long-lasting cookware made from sustainable materials.

Storytelling Through Food 

• Work with program and events staff to incorporate storytelling into meals, ensuring guests understand the journey from farm to table. Sharing the story behind the food can transform a meal from a simple act of eating into a memorable and thought-provoking experience.
• Share the stories of the ingredients and their origins, including the farmers and practices behind them, as well as the broader environmental implications of their meal.
• Collaborate with program leaders to engage guests in conversations about sustainable farming, food waste, composting, and other relevant sustainability topics related to their meals.
• Additional farm-wide support

Provide seasonal support of farm programs and operations as needed and when available.

More details at https://shelburnefarms.org/about/join-our-team

Compensation

this position is: salaried, varies DOE, $55,000.00 - $57,000.00

Application instructions

Deadline

February 17, 2025