Farm
Chef
Chef/Manager/Working Chef
Tops’l Farm is a farm retreat & campground in mid-coast Maine. We believe in the importance of stepping outside the hectic pace of day-to-day life and spending time in the woods with close friends and family.
We are seeking a professional (experienced, enthusiastic, driven and creative) Farm Chef to help us take our culinary footprint to its next phase. Tops’l Farm is a unique, off-the-beaten path venue for group events, camp takeovers, and curated experiences and food is our love language. We are cementing our place in Maine as a no-frills, back-to-what’s important destination with a focus on locally sourced ingredients highlighting traditional Maine recipes & flavors. We love outdoor eating experiences and cooking over open flame. We will continue to build out our team of amazing hospitality folks who are looking for more than a job – who are looking for a work family and a place to grow creatively while maintaining a keen eye on how our individual efforts impact company health.
Job Description
We offer culinary events all year long – a robust season of events from May-November that include lodging and use of our event spaces. November – April a bit slower but offering work for a full calendar year to humans looking to dig in with us and grow. This position will be responsible managing the following (kitchen related components) of the following events types:
1. Small group property takeovers (May-October). Typically, 30-40 people who are staying on property for 2-3 days – a mix of group, family style/buffet breakfasts, picnic lunches, barn dinners. Tops’l Farm has created an a la carte menu of selections for guests to choose from when planning their stay in advance. Some mid-weeks, some weekends.
2. Weddings (all year, primary May – November). Executing our menu of food for weddings of up to 130. Approximately 15-20 weddings per season. Typically, these events include a welcome dinner, reception, farewell brunch.
3. Tops’l Overnights (May-October). All-inclusive Overnights - “glamping” weekends with 2 dinners included, picnics, breakfast options.
4. Culinary “Pop-Ups” – ticketed events for public each season. Winter Raclette, Sugar Shack, River Dinner, Wild Game.
Our larger “Team Tops’l” is made up of the following roles:
Sarah Pike – Owner/Sales
Director of Events & Guest Experience
Food & Beverage Manager
Kitchen Assistant
Dishwasher
Director of Property & Lodging Operations
Sleep Operations Manager
Turnover Team
Garden Manager/Property Steward
and lots of other amazing folks who keep this place spinning!
Start Date: January 2023
Benefits: 2 Weeks Paid Vacation, flexible winter hours
Health Insurance / Health Insurance Stipend
Salary: TBD
Key Job Responsibilities:
Co-develop a plan for sourcing the best ingredients for the Tops’l menu. Including:
a. Sources
b. Cost of goods vs menu cost for true ROI
c. Seasonal variations on menu staples
d. Tops’l Farm grown items
Creation of proforma schedules to assess labor needs for calendar year – daily, weekly, monthly basis.
Creating & maintaining adherence to daily, weekly & monthly kitchen checklists w/ accountability.
Maintaining inventory list for all supplies/ingredients ordering with 2x a month reported inventory to assess accurate food costs & COGs - Working with Tops’l Food & Beverage Manager to make sure highest quality items are brought in, with an eye towards profitability, waste reduction, and frugality.
Pre-Season analysis of equipment needs.
Garden planning & coordination with on-site vegetables and on-site foraged items - for use in culinary events (coordinate with farmer in residence and foraging expert).
Be driven & lead a team to create the highest quality meals based on our farm values. We have incredibly high standards for each guest experience on the farm – and the food plays a major role in this.
Serve as the direct supervisor of kitchen operations and implement all associated systems.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Required: 5+ years in a professional cooking setting with a culinary degree, 10 years without. At least 2 years in management with COG/labor responsibility and track record of excellent ROI. Excellent references. Knowledge of food science Up-to-Date Food Handlers-Serve Safe Certification
Commitment to personal health and passion for cooking and nutrition. Strong organization, coordination and collaboration skills.
Knowledge, passion, and familiarity with local, organic, and seasonal produce.
Ability to prepare cuisine that is approachable, rooted in Maine tradition, and seasonally appropriate.
Friendliness, approachability, and enthusiasm for working with other people.
Proficiency with Google Docs, Office & willingness to learn new platforms.
Scheduling flexibility and availability to help us deliver during our high season. We strongly believe in resets, recovery and personal time – and building out a team that is well trained and can provide support, so all does not rest on one human.
Strong organization, coordination, and collaboration skills.
A growth mindset.
Above all else, kind.
Work Specific Requirements:
Ability to lift 50 pounds to participate physically in kitchen work
Interest in long-term commitment and growth.
Residence in proximity to the farm.
Hours
Full time, year-long salaried position. Expect 5 days of service days during the high season, 2-3 during the low season.
We expect that 2 days off each week should be possible with our operation.
May – October – High season, 50ish hours per week (mix of admin & production)
November – April – (s)Low Season – culinary pop ups, some random winter weddings.
We believe in the need for a sustainable work/life balance, knowing that when it’s time to work, we jam and there are plans in the schedule for time off when there are no booked events. It will be critical to work with the Events Director to understand the calendar in advance and plan accordingly.
Salary/Compensation/ Personal Time/Benefits
2 weeks paid vacation per year during non-critical event times. If health insurance is desired, it can be discussed.
Remote work opportunities for admin days.
We are looking to pay the right person the right money to execute the right job for Tops’l Farm.
If you think this is you, please send us a note with the following info:
Why does this job appeal?
What experience do you come to us with that prepares you to kick butt in this role?
Where do you live? If not near Waldoboro, what would your plan be?
What are your salary/comp requirements?
What questions do you have for us?
What’s your favorite thing to eat? To prepare?
Thank you.
Please submit applications to: