Company description Farmstead Catering is a food service company that plans, produces, harvests, cooks, prepares, serves food creations used for numerous public and private events throughout the year. The business has grown over the last five years to a capacity which our small team can manage a fully diversified farm and carry out the planning, mobilization, and execution of large festive events and several smaller intimate gatherings each year.

The food we serve is completely local, grown with organic practices, selected for flavor and vigor, subject to seasonality, handled with loving hands, and harvested and used at its peak freshness. Each event regularly serves multiple courses to over 100 people with the highest standards for preparation, flavor, plating, and presentation. Our remoteness in the Adirondacks has us serving at private camps, event spaces, farms, and many other scenic venues. When we are not traveling to share our food, we do so at our own farm with various events from formal long table dinners, to casual small-plates-and-music hang outs.

Farmstead Catering focuses on well curated and creative experiences that make for a sustainable business, both as a farm and a food service company. We aim to represent the possibility for many other food businesses to thrive and exist while using primarily local food that is grown with thoughtful small-scale agriculture. Though mostly a seasonal business by demand, Farmstead Catering is always looking to push food service possibilities while maintaining our ethics on local seasonality. Job description

Farmstead Catering is currently looking for up to 2 cook/chef/kitchen help positions pending on the personality and experience of selected applicants. An ideal candidate will already have extensive kitchen experience and knife skills; however, more important is the right match of personality and drive that is suited to the type of work. The job will have days with long hours carrying out many different tasks that need to be handled with self-motivation, time organization and a calm positive attitude. The right candidate(s) must maintain their own work schedule, make safe and healthy mental/physical decisions by knowing their personal limitations, and communicating their needs and desires. They should also have a desire to push their creativity, want to practice and learn new skills, and know what type of learner they are. Along with committing to live and work in this area, the right candidate will commit to taking on new responsibilities as they become more skilled. 

In addition to daily prepping and planning our events (which are where the most demanding tasks occur), chefs will also pack, transport, cook, and plate food at different events under varying conditions. The right candidate will facilitate the mobilization for each event calmly and professionally while having fun. You’ll be working alongside a half-dozen other capable team members to make sure our pack out and event execution is flawless. 

Another aspect of our catering, is that most of the cooking at the events is done over open fire, using hardwood coal and embers. This job will employ the first and most historically used form of cooking while creating a well prepared and safe environment for everyone around. 

The responsibilities we all share are as followed, and will be learned over time with our company: 

In the kitchen
-Keeping a clean and organized workspace
-Knowing proper sanitation requirements for food, humans, and surfaces
-Carrying out a thorough cleaning and maintenance schedule of the kitchen and its equipment
-Labeling, storing, and cleaning all foods in an organized manner 

As a cook
-Making prep lists, stocking pantries, and maintaining a stocked larder of ingredients including cheese, charcuterie, bread, etc. 
-Have and continually hone knife skills
-Possess knowledge of each piece of equipment used (range, combi, blenders, mixers, grinders, slicers, mandolin, vacuum sealer, dishwasher, dehydrator, etc.)
-Knowledge of cooking techniques (sauté, baking, braising, blanching, sous vide, grilling, etc.)
-Starting, feeding, temping, and using hardwood fires to cook
-Understand various cuisines and learning to taste each ingredient and its effect on the food 

With food
-Proficiency of cleaning, prepping, and breaking down vegetables, grains, fruits, eggs, dairy, and proteins, with as little to no waste (knowing to use everything, compost, and feed animals’ scraps)
-Use creativity to solve any seasonal and climate limitations on hyper local food
-Learn the properties of foods and how to use them in various cooking 

Qualifications
Preferred candidates will have kitchen experience, knife skills, good cleanliness, and a massive desire to learn. They will be willing to work long days, mostly between Tues-Sat., and want to work in different locations each with their own challenges to prepare for and overcome. Must be able to stay calm and focused through all manners of work. Desired skills are organization, knowledge of various cuisines, knowledge of pastry, butchery, fermentation, baking, and/or grilling. Pay is reflective of experience and will slide based on learned proficiencies. There are up to 2 positions so may be a good fit for couples/partners/ friends but is not a required or an immediate advantage in hiring.

Compensation
Housing
Access to a full diet of foods year round
Salary/Wage depends on experience and schedule (seasonal vs. year-round)
Flexible Schedule
Profit-Sharing Business Equity after 2 years

 

Compensation this position is : salaried Application instructions DeadlineApril 15, 2020