Company description Pond Hill Farm is an eclectic family farm located in Northern Michigan on 197 acres in the lakeside community of Harbor Springs. Starting as a vegetable farm in 1995, it has grown to become an agricultural tourism destination known for its free-spirited and welcoming vibe that is enjoyed by all generations. Visitors are warmly embraced while connecting with the farm’s bounty within a relaxed and beautiful setting that produces vegetables, grapes, meat, beer, wine, flowers and canned goods, which are shared via the café, tasting room, on-farm market and farm-to-table events. As a seasonally driven business, operations fluctuate depending on the time of year, which fosters an innovative, flexible and cross-functional work environment. This unique farm ecosystem has created an environment that attracts tens of thousands of customers each year who come from all around the country to enjoy the experience. Internship description As a culinary trainee, your main focus will be daily preparation and execution of service out of our prep and pizza kitchens. This will include assisting with both public and private events and canning production. While it is preferred that you arrive with some basic cooking skills and knowledge of proper sanitation, it is not required. Trainees need to be prepared for a challenge and to take on a significant degree of responsibility in our fast-paced kitchens. You will have the opportunity to explore other areas of the farm as time permits.
 

Areas of focus:
Café Kitchen – most of your time will be spent working in the café kitchen & pizza kitchen preparing lunches and dinner, with responsibility for the daily set up, operation, cleaning, opening and closing of the kitchen area as directed by the chef. These duties include, but are not limited to, preparation and execution of menu items, washing dishes and other various kitchen equipment and utensils and advance preparation of food items in accordance with production requirements. These processes must be held to our quality standards while maintaining a safe, sanitary work environment, ensuring quality and consistency by following recipes and production and portion guidelines. You will also participate in special events including farm-to-table dinners. The spring/summer/fall season(s) of 2023 will introduce a new, expanded service.
Canning Kitchen – On occasion you will work in canning production. Your duties will include but not be limited to, prepping vegetables and other ingredients according to FDA approved recipes, processing jars in hot water baths, assisting with record keeping, labeling finished product and cleaning. All production is overseen by the Pond Hill Farm employee with commercial canning credentials, and maintaining a sanitary environment will be of utmost importance.

Educational Opportunities: Trainees discuss goals with the chef and choose additional areas of interest. We strive to use as much as we can from our own farm, so there is an opportunity to learn how to rotate menu items with seasonal availability and how to turn excess or slightly damaged produce from a liability into a profit. Opportunities exist to design, prepare, and execute a course at a Farm to Table dinner for up to 60 guests, learning to work with a diversified, professional staff, adjusting preparation of all menu items in accordance with fluctuating business due to seasonality, and the purchasing/receiving of raw materials. Other opportunities exist for individuals who want to go above and beyond once duties of normal operations have been mastered.

Skills Desired: Trainees need to be prepared for a wide range of challenging experiences, and be ready to take on a significant degree of responsibility on a farm that serves thousands of customers a day and grows more than just vegetables! Commercial cooking is physically and mentally demanding, but fun and rewarding too! Trainees must have the following characteristics: Desire to learn Self-motivated Hard-working Creative Curious Energetic Detail-oriented Independent Attention to customer service and comfortable engaging with others Ability to lift 50 pounds Previous restaurant experience preferred but not required.

Meals: Trainees prepare their own meals. Full kitchen is provided and staples are stocked for cooking. This includes pasta, rice, beans, vegetables and wild proteins. There is a 50% employee discount on café food and beverage.

Stipend: $15/hr. Employees will receive discounts on farm food & merchandise. “Rent” is $125/week and is deducted from each paycheck..

Housing: On property housing with two kitchens & two bathrooms is provided in a rustic shared cabin. Each trainee has their own room. Wi-Fi, washer/ dryer, Garbage, recycling, “Rent” is $125/week and is deducted from each paycheck.
  Compensation this position is : hourly, $15-20/hr
Application instructions DeadlineApril 30, 2023