Company description

Farms Work Wonders is a nonprofit social enterprise whose mission is to ignite the spark of curiosity in Appalachian youth so they see themselves and their future in new and exciting ways. Our businesses provide local Appalachian youth real-life learning experiences and generate proceeds that are 100% reinvested back into the local community. In 2016, Farms Work Wonders started with the Wardensville Garden Market project—an organic farm and farm stand.  Since opening, our enterprises have expanded to include a market, bakery, glass blowing studio, and restaurant that have created 80+ local, good-paying jobs with around half held by local high school students.

Farms Work Wonders provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Job description

VISIT WWW.FARMSWORKWONDERS.ORG/CHEF FOR MORE DETAILS

ABOUT OUR RESTAURANT

Mack’s Bingo Kitchen is an approachable American restaurant that utilizes seasonal ingredients from our organic farm and other nearby farms and purveyors. Our restaurant serves as a learning opportunity for our Junior Crew (local Appalachian Youth participating in our program) to engage with all aspects of the restaurant operations to provide a well-rounded experience in the hospitality industry. Youth have opportunities to work in the kitchen preparing and cooking, as well as on the dining room floor, supporting roles including hosting, serving, and interacting with our guests.

As a social enterprise, Mack’s Bingo Kitchen provides a well-rounded hospitality experience for local youth to complement the opportunities offered in our farm, market, bakery, and glass studio. It also provides a casual, approachable, yet exceptional experience for the community through food, drink, and hospitality.

OVERVIEW

We’re searching for a visionary Executive Chef to lead something far bigger than a kitchen. At Mack’s Bingo Kitchen—a nationally recognized nonprofit restaurant in rural Appalachia—you’ll find an extraordinary canvas: a wood-fired hearth, a state-of-the-art production kitchen, and a private pantry in the form of our 100-acre organic farm. But more than that, you’ll find a mission-driven team, a powerful youth development program, and a community that’s ready for what’s next.

This role is equal parts creative leadership and operational excellence. You’ll shape seasonal menus inspired by our land, maximize use of farm-raised ingredients, lead and mentor a team across the kitchen and bakery, and ensure high-quality execution while staying on top of food and labor costs. You'll also play a key role in training local youth—our Junior Crew—through hands-on learning that sparks curiosity and builds confidence.

We believe hospitality can be a radical act—and we’re looking for someone who brings both rigor and heart, who sees constraints as creative fuel, and who’s ready to help build something remarkable in a town of 300 just minutes from outdoor adventure and still only 90 minutes from D.C.

This position reports directly to the Managing Director.

MUST-HAVES

• Continuous learning There’s always more to know, and you actively seek it out. You stay curious, seek feedback, and ask the next question to apply what you learn to improve your team and your work.
• High volume, high efficiency You thrive in a busy, dynamic environment. You prioritize without sacrificing quality and keep things moving—even when juggling multiple projects at once. You embrace new projects and aren’t afraid to experiment.
• Attention to detail You don’t just notice what’s off—you fix it. You set high standards and hold yourself and your team accountable, creating a culture where small details matter
• Relationship-building You build genuine, trusting connections with people across all roles and backgrounds. You approach conversations with curiosity, not judgment, and hold space for perspectives that differ from your own.
• Coaching and modeling ‘We grow more than vegetables’ You develop people. You lead by example and help others grow by providing the tools and encouragement they need to reach their highest potential. You hold high expectations and challenge, but always with support and appreciation. You give clear and useful feedback, and you model what it looks like to live our values in practice.

Additional responsibilities will be detailed in the interview and full job description.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS 

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and ability to stand for long periods of time
• Willingness and ability to commute or relocate to Wardensville, WV if necessary.

EXPECTED WORK SCHEDULE

This full-time position is expected to work five days/40 hours per week, inclusive of evenings, weekends, and some government holidays.

Mack’s Bingo Kitchen is currently open Thursday through Sunday, and we anticipate this is a Wednesday - Sunday schedule.  

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This position is classified as exempt with an annual salary starting at $50,350, with the final amount negotiable and commensurate with experience. Candidates with significant experience or specialized expertise may be considered above the starting rate. Additional compensation opportunities may be available based on performance and organizational growth goals.

In addition to competitive pay, we offer the following benefits for regular, full-time employees:

• Generous paid time off structure
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Optional health, dental, vision, and short-term disability insurances
• Discount on items at the Wardensville Garden Market, Mack’s Bingo Restaurant and Bakery, Dakota Glass Works Retail Gallery
• Paid training opportunities

HOUSING

Short-term, limited housing assistance may be available for those relocating for the position.

Compensation

this position is: salaried, $50,000 - $75,000

Application instructions

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Deadline

no deadline