Kitchen Lead

Cedar Circle Farm and Education Center•East Thetford, VT

1d•$20 - $22•Onsite

About The Position

Join our passionate team at Cedar Circle Farm & Education Center, where we grow, cook, and serve organic, seasonal food with care. Our on-site farmstand and Hello Café offer fresh, farm-made baked goods daily, featuring local and organic ingredients-many sourced directly from our own fields! We're looking for a Kitchen Lead to help run our small but dynamic culinary team in crafting prepared foods for the farmstand-high-quality salads, soups, sandwiches, and other food products that celebrate the flavors of the season. This position is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced cook who is eager to work in a farm-to-fork environment and to showcase Vermont's local and seasonal bounty through creative, high-quality food production. The Lead works closely with all kitchen staff making sure the kitchen runs smoothly when the Kitchen Manager is not present. This position is 5 days per week; applicants must be able to work weekends when needed.

Requirements

Kitchen experience in a café, farmstand, restaurant, or similar food-prep setting.
Comfortable working as part of a team and helping guide daily kitchen work when the Kitchen Manager is not on site.
Ability to prepare a variety of simple, high-quality foods such as salads, soups, sandwiches, and prepared meals.
Willingness to follow recipes, ask questions, and learn Cedar Circle's systems and standards.
Clear and respectful communication style, with the ability to give and receive feedback.
Ability to stay organized, manage time well, and help keep daily production on track.
Interest in working with local, seasonal ingredients and being part of a farm-to-fork food program.
Commitment to maintaining a clean, safe, and organized kitchen.
Physical ability to lift up to 50 lbs and stand for the duration of a shift.
Availability to work 5 days per week, including weekends as needed.

Responsibilities

Daily Cooking & Production - Prepare food ensuring a consistent, high-quality selection of salads, prepared meals, sandwiches, soup and more for the farmstand and café.
Recipe Development - Collaborate with the Kitchen Manager to create new seasonal foods that highlight our farm's organic produce, from fresh salads to full meals.
Menu Planning - Work with the Kitchen Manager to develop weekly and monthly specials, as well as contributions for our farm's Prepared Food CSA and farmstand offerings.
Inventory & Sourcing - Manage ingredient inventory, minimize waste, and work with local suppliers to source high-quality, organic, and sustainable ingredients.
Kitchen & Staff Supervision - Supervise kitchen staff, ensuring efficiency, teamwork, and skill-building in the kitchen.
Food Safety & Cleanliness - Maintain a clean, organized, and safe workspace, following all health and safety protocols.
Creativity & Community - Engage with the farm's mission by incorporating sustainability into baking practices, embracing seasonality, and bringing fresh ideas to the table!