Head Chef/Kitchen Manager
Earthdance is an artist-run workshop, residency, and retreat center located in the Berkshire Hills of Western Massachusetts. We provide a dynamic mix of dance, somatic, and interdisciplinary arts training, with a focus on sustainable living, social justice, and community. Earthdance has been spearheading innovative arts programming and maintaining a beautiful facility for rental groups in the Pioneer Valley for nearly three decades.
During employment at Earthdance, our core staff live on-site as a component of our residential community educational program. The Head Chef/Kitchen Manager is a core staff position, responsible for directly supervising and coordinating the activities of the Sous Chef and Kitchen assist for all programming, to ensure optimal levels of operations, customer satisfaction, and financial planning. This position reports to the Operations Manager and oversees the general kitchen operations.
Primary areas of responsibility:
The Chef/Kitchen Manager holds responsibility in 5 main areas:
- Food Management: responsible for maintaining an adequate supply of food to be used in preparing meals for Earthdance programs as well as for providing food for Earthdance Staff to prepare on their own. The Head Chef/Kitchen Manager is also responsible for maintaining a sanitary working environment.
- Staffing Management: responsible for making sure that the Earthdance kitchen is adequately staffed to cook and clean up for events.
- Lead Cook Responsibilities: responsible for cooking independently for up to 30 individuals/meal. For larger groups, responsible for managing assistants in the food preparation, and ensuring that meals are prepared hot, fresh and on-time.
- Kitchen Liaison/Coordinator: responsible for coordinating menus/meal planning with the Operations Manager and/or the Group Organizer directly.
- Kitchen Maintenance/Management: responsible for maintaining all equipment, health code standards, and cleanliness of all kitchen/food related areas.
Skills/Competencies:
- Demonstrated background in commercial kitchen operations
- Experience with vegetarian, vegan, dairy/wheat-free and other specialty dish preparations
- Experience supervising and leading teams and/or volunteers
- Background in customer service and/or retreat centers
- Demonstrated ability in managing expenses in accordance to a provided budget
Preferred Skills/Competencies:
- Strong interest in, and previous experience with, cooperative living and community building
- Strong team leadership skills in a live/work environment
- Ability to work for condensed periods of time under pressure, with high volumes of people
- Ability to manage personal work schedule depending on requirements/responsibilities as needed
- Professional demeanor and work ethic
- Written and verbal communication skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Self-motivated, able to self-direct and take direction
- Ability to maintain positivity and composure under pressure
- Ability to handle changes in work priorities with ease
- Ability to interface with others using tact and diplomacy
The initial employment period is two years, with possibility of extension based upon performance. Training is available beginning September 1, 2013, and is unpaid in wages, though room and board are available throughout the training period.
The position start date is October 1, 2013. This is a 30 hour/week, residential core staff position. Work regularly requires availability on weekends and evenings. Compensation includes salary, room and board. Benefits include four weeks paid time off, complimentary workshops and jams, access to Earthdance studio spaces, guest privileges, and community development opportunities.
Applicants who are available upon the position training date and/or start date are highly desired.
Women, people of color, LGBT, and/or people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
To apply: send resume and cover letter to jobsatearthdance@gmail.com
Applications received by or before August 1, 2013 receive first priority.
