Menu

Hiring: Cook – Appleton Farms

The Cook is an integral position within Appleton Farms’ Culinary Food Service Program and is responsible for assisting with the farm’s year-round prepared foods program, culinary workshops, and seasonal food service programs. In this role, you will report to the Culinary Program & Food Service Manager and work collaboratively with the culinary and greater property teams to create and execute seasonally inspired prepared foods, food service menus and cooking classes to best support Appleton’s food-forward visitor experience and mission. This is a hands-on position which entails most aspects of the culinary program.

The Cook will execute food production within the kitchen and assist with food service events in and outdoors on a regular schedule within the Appleton Farms days and times of programs (weekends an absolute must). Menu planning, inventory and collaboration are necessary functions of the job. Candidates must have a passion for sharing knowledge, instructing and teaching, as that is an important function of this position. The position is 40 hours per week, depending on the season and may vary due to demand or weather. 

Apply here.

Essential Functions:

  • Cooking and safely packaging prepared foods.
  • Demonstrated commitment to sourcing seasonal and farm-fresh ingredients.
  • Managing a tight production schedule.
  • Uphold Standard Operating Procedures for the commercial kitchen.
  • Maintain high standards of sanitation, food safety and a clean and safe work environment.
  • Performing various food prep and cooking tasks, which require knife skills, creativity, and independence.
  • Preparing staple prepared food products for Appleton Farm Store on a regular basis:
    • Soups
    • Stocks
    • Sauces
    • Salads
  • Assisting chefs and bakers with execution of prep items, pizza dough and more:
    • Vegetable prep and cooking
    • Mixing and shaping pizza dough by hand
    • Stretching and topping pizzas
  • Working quickly and efficiently to the standards of The Trustees and Appleton Farms.
  • Supporting Culinary Program & Food Service Manager and all kitchen staff as needed.
  • Experience with food prep and cooking from scratch.
  • Experience with recipe development and menu planning
  • Experience with cooking and safely packaging prepared foods.
  • Ability to develop, lead and/or assist with culinary workshops.
  • Execution of catering and private events to the standards of The Trustees and Appleton Farms.
  • Execution of cooking and meal service to the highest standards of excellence in customer service and visitor engagement.
  • Cooperate with superior communication, customer service and interpersonal skills.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

  • Food Safety Certification (ServSafe) or willingness to obtain certification. 
  • Allergen Awareness Certification or willingness to obtain certification. 
  • Choke Savers Certification or willingness to obtain certification. 
  • 3+ years’ experience working in a professional kitchen.    
  • Experience with recipe development.
  • Ability to follow recipes to standard. 
  • Ability to handle multiple tasks at once. 
  • Previous experience handling bread/pizza dough a plus. 
  • Background check required.

Other Requirements: 

  • Strong knowledge of food preparation and cooking techniques.
  • High level knowledge of food safety, cleanliness, and sanitation. 
  • Self-starter.
  • Comfortable with high volume and fast-paced environment. 
  • Comfortable working outdoors in all types of New England weather.
  • Flexible work schedule (weekends and some holidays are a must). 
  • Demonstrated experience in teaching, menu and recipe planning, including anticipation of inventory needs.
  • Excellent communication skills, including and especially under pressure.
  • High regard for teamwork, collegiality, customer service and visitor experience. 

Work environmentthe work environment includes being outdoors in all weather conditions.

Physical demands Ability to lift 50lbs independently and spend periods of time standing in a confined space.

About The Trustees: 

The Trustees places are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in what we do. Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, we preserve, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts.  We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity. We have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000+ acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. We are a non-profit conservation organization funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 100,000 Member households.

As the flagship of The Trustees Agriculture Program, Appleton Farms is a historic Farm and Education Center with regenerative agriculture practices and a soil-to-plate mission rooted in a cultural heritage dating back to 1638. With its rich mosaic of ecological resources, its historic cultural landscapes and buildings, its walking and horseback trails, its well-established organic vegetable and grass-fed livestock programs, its thriving farm-based camp and educational offerings, and its celebrated farm store, culinary programs and food service, Appleton Farms is one of New England’s most treasured year-round agricultural heritage destinations.

The Appleton Farms Culinary Program offers hands-on seasonal cooking classes and farm dinners together with weekly offerings of delicious, “fast-casual” weekend food service that provides visitors an authentic farm-to-table experience connecting them to the season and to our Appleton soil-to-plate mission. Our baking program focuses on freshly milled, local flour, natural leavening, and seasonal menus. We use a hands-on, artisanal approach to our pastry, pizza, prepared foods, and bread.  

The Trustees offers competitive compensation, as well as the opportunity to be part of a dedicated team across the Commonwealth who love the outdoors and the distinctive charms of New England, and who believe in celebrating and protecting our special places, for everyone, forever.

The Trustees is a proud equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any protected status including, but not limited to, age, race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, nation of origin, religion, or disability status and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ applicants. We aspire to reflect and effectively serve the residents and communities of Massachusetts, who are at the core of our mission.

Our commitment to advancing the organization’s vision for this work may be found here: Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion and Equity

 

Find It Locally

Search CISA’s online guide to local farms, food, and more!

Find Local Food