The Kitchen at Middleground Farms is looking for a trained Chef to add to our leadership team. We are an on-farm cooking and dining experience on a 17-acre hobby farm in beautiful Wilsonville, 20 minutes south of Portland. Previously, we exclusively hosted events from our demonstration kitchen in a beautifully refurbished former cattle barn. Because of the pandemic, we shifted gears and during the warm months we provide outdoor meals in our lush kitchen garden. Imagine enjoying a locally-sourced, delicious seasonal meal while surrounded by dairy cows and goats, fresh vegetables, a stunning view and crackling fire. We strive to provide the ultimate outdoor dining experience – thoughtful, seasonal and educational. Our menu changes weekly and we partner with local wineries, offering wine pairings with each menu.
In addition to Dinners in the Garden we have a full schedule of events in The Kitchen during the week, including hands-on cooking classes, winemaker dinners and private events!
Our constantly changing menu highlights the bounty of both our gardens and farm and Oregon's produce and farm-raised meat. We use our consumer-grade demonstration kitchen, outdoor grill, smoker, wood fired oven and other tools to create delicious, creative meals at our technique-driven dining experience.
We’re looking for a Lead Chef to work with the chef owner, lead chef instructor, sommelier and team to run the weekend restaurant-style service at our Dinners in the Garden during the summer. This is not your typical line cook or chef job. We work together as a team to have just as great an experience as our guests. You have the ability to provide the ultimate food experience, while interacting with guests and sharing your passion for food and technique.
Our ideal candidate has:
· At least 2 years of leadership experience in a restaurant/catering kitchen
· A highly creative, motivated and detailed eye with a willingness to continue to improve upon your craft, take constructive feedback and generously share your expertise with our team and guests
· Background in maintaining organized and efficient kitchen and work areas to maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and food safety
· Ability to implement and uphold policies and procedures related to cleanliness, inventory control, utilization, ordering, receiving, and training
· A high level of regard for team members and their experience, helping to create a culture of inclusion and respect
· Great written and verbal communication skills
· Time management and delegation ability as it pertains to prep and service timing
· A great sense of humor, values hard work and strives for work/life balance
If you are passionate about food and wine, tired of the traditional restaurant scene and enjoy fresh air and gorgeous scenery, we’re the place for you!