RESIDENCY CHEF 

JOB DESCRIPTION

STATUS: Seasonal     SALARY: EXEMPT;  $1,200/week 

LOCATION: Brewster, NY        REPORTS TO: Executive Director

SPACE on Ryder Farm is a nonprofit residency program and organic farm in Putnam County, New York. SPACE’s residency program offers a unique and dynamic atmosphere that nourishes artists and innovators both individually and relationally, allowing them to focus on their work in a significant way. 

SPACE seeks qualified culinary professionals to join a small roster of guest chefs who will cook for week-long retreats throughout the season (April to November). This position requires working interdependently as a front-facing ambassador with our onsite team, as well as being a confident, competent solo cook for diverse groups from all walks of life.  The scope and timeline of this role works well to complement existing private-chef or active freelancer schedules. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

  • daily lunch and dinner service served family-style, with meals that reflect residents’ dietary restrictions (a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 10 people per meal service);

  • incorporating as much fresh produce grown on SPACE’s organic farm as possible;

  • facilitating and maintaining a “pantry breakfast” station (resident breakfasts are self-serve each morning, with store-bought grab & go options set up the night before);

  • facilitating and maintaining a basic beverage station;

  • end-to-end process management during a single residency week, including but not limited to: honoring dietary restrictions/allergies; economical meal-planning; efficient meal prep; structured meal times; responding to feedback in real time; facilitating family-style meals at a communal table; detailed kitchen cleanup and reset;

  • maintaining inventory for the duration of a single residency week;

  • as the sole foodservice team member onsite, cultivating a consistent, safety-first environment regarding cleanliness and sanitation.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • 2 years or more of related professional culinary and hospitality work experience. Private residence experience preferred.

  • Comfort and ease with speaking, reading, and writing in English. 

  • Comfort and ease with various dietary restrictions and food allergies: gluten-free, vegan/vegetarian, dairy-free, soy-free, and so on. Familiarity with contemporary plant-based ingredients and products. Familiarity with safely cooking and storing fresh or frozen animal proteins.

  • ServSafe certification and/or equivalent municipal food handler’s permit. (This can be obtained upon hire.) 

  • Knowledge and familiarity with sustainable kitchen practices including but not limited to: FIFO and related applications; reducing food waste and waste-conscious meal planning; utilizing and repurposing leftovers on a rolling basis; reacting to hospitality-related needs and feedback with grace; and a very pantry-forward, improvisational cooking approach.

  • Basic knowledge of standard workplace tech: Google Workspace; Zoom; Slack

  • Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record. (Preferred)

  • Comfort and ease when working on multiple tasks with process integrity and minimal supervision.

  • Comfort and ease with BOH and FOH industry norms: standing, sitting, or walking for extended periods of time; stooping, kneeling, bending, and/or crouching frequently during a shift; daily manual dexterity; lifting up to 25 lbs. consistently without assistance. 

MORE ABOUT THE POSITION: 

While an artist residency on a working farm is very different from a resort experience, daily operations here can often feel hotel-adjacent. Our open kitchen is visible to residents at all times, and serves as the heartbeat of the SPACE experience. Reporting to the Executive Director and working in tandem with leadership and fellow team members, seasonal chefs will be an integral part of setting the tone and atmosphere for each residency cohort. Along with strong culinary skill sets, SPACE chefs have sharp FOH instincts that encompass emotional intelligence, cultural sensitivity, stamina, efficiency, and a warm “front desk” approach. Any background in counter/barista experience, bartending, brick & mortar retail sales, event catering, summer camps, vacation resorts, or waiting tables can be very helpful here. Restaurant line-cook experience is not as relevant in this setting.

Seasonal housing onsite is provided for the entire duration of a scheduled residency week. 

HOW TO APPLY: 

Interested applicants should send a resumé that articulates why your experience makes you a great candidate to jobs@spaceonryderfarm.org with the subject line RESIDENCY CHEF. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until slots are filled. We encourage individuals to apply as early as possible. Applicants we are interested in interviewing will receive an email to schedule an initial conversation. Finalists will be scheduled for an interview with Senior Leadership. Residency chef slots begin in April of 2024. No phone calls please. 

SPACE’s values are equity, inclusion, support, and radical hospitality. Our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and to maintain an inclusive environment. As an equal opportunity employer we are committed to employment practices that ensure employees and applicants for employment are provided with equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or any other factor that is not related to the position. 

SPACE strongly encourages individuals from marginalized and underrepresented groups to apply. If you are unsure if you meet all of the requirements, or have unorthodox past experiences, but believe you would excel in this position, we encourage you to apply. SPACE is most concerned with meeting candidates who share our vision and mission and are confident they have what it takes to do the job. SPACE on Ryder Farm is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.