Whole Foods Chef and Guide

This full-time, non-exempt position is set in beautiful rural Vermont in a lovely Vermont home, turned into a Therapeutic Communithy Residence, along with a newly added East Wing where our Residents (Seekers) live. We are seeking a chef who is passionate about helping people heal from mental health challenges by addressing the nutritional side of healing, one aspect of the many therapies we offer.

This position is Responsible for all of the operations of the kitchen. Tests and develops recipes.

Monitors customer satisfaction. Teaches cooking as an empowering life skill while creating meals for the community of Seekers (clients) and Guides (staff). The vegetarian and non-vegetarian diet supports immune and intestine health, is gluten free, and uses high quality ingredients that are locally grown and organic whenever possible. Maintains the inventory of kitchen supplies and food. Ensures that food and facilities meet all regulatory requirements. Is familiar with a variety of the field’s concepts, practices, and procedures. Relies on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Leads and directs the work of others.

Is sensitive and awaren of healthy boundaries in relation to food. A wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected.

Responsibilities

1. Prepare breakfast, lunch, snacks and soup for dinner.

2. Teach cooking skills to Seekers and work alongside them to produce the daily meals.

3. Follow and teach Seekers proper kitchen protocols to maintain food safety standard.

4. Use inspiration and motivational techniques to help Seekers stay present and focused on kitchen work though they may be feeling challenged internally.

5. Cultivate cooking as a mindful and centering practice.

6. De-escalate situations if they arise. Be a supportive and peaceful presence, without having to give answers.

7. Create and maintain kitchen policies and protocols.

8. Train Guides and Seekers on kitchen policies and protocols including food safety, storage and specific dietary needs of individual seekers.

9. Follow up with Guides when any issues arise regarding work in the kitchen and serving meals.

10. Plan weekly menus; ensure menus are posted a week in advance.

11. Order and purchase food, weekly.

12. Develop and maintain relationships with vendors.

13. Review, further develop and implement Kitchen Curriculum with Seekers.

14. Maintain organization and cleanliness of kitchen.

15. Stock kitchen and update inventory weekly.

16. Work collaboratively with outdoor guides to process and store vegetables and herbs harvested from our garden.

17. Attend weekly meetings and provide input regarding Seeker's progress.

18. Write weekly and monthly reports for each Seeker.

19. Prepare or delegate preparation of weekend meals, including Seekers by assigning weekend kitchen chores

Some Required Skills

Food and Kitchen Skills: Gardening basics, harvesting, whole foods cooking for vegetarian and non-vegetarian, sprouting, fermenting, cooking instruction, nutrition, food preservation (canning, freezing and drying), Use of culinary and medicinal herbs.

Awareness of the GAPS diet and others which serve gut health.

Computer: Able to operate a computer and proficiently use Microsoft Office suite and the Google platform including Docs, Sheets and Gmail.

Seeker and Personal Service: Knows principles and processes for providing quality Seeker service. Includes assessing Seeker needs, meeting quality services standards and evaluating Seeker satisfaction.

Interpersonal: Strong people skills. Able to read and respond professionally to social cues and needs.

Judgment and Decision Making: Considers relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Time management: Able to manage one’s own time and the time of others in order to meet deadlines.

Active Listening and Discernment: Gives full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. Adept at understanding non-verbal communication and social cues and discerning one’s heart beyond their actions and spoken words.

Problem Sensitivity: Able to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, assess needs and garner support from Administration (Council) in challenging and potentially crisis situations.

Centering and Grounding: Able to leave home/personal matters behind in order to be fully present to the needs of the Seekers and Community.

Discernment in relation to personal boundaries: cultivating an awareness that Seekers can be easily overwhelmed. Heightened sensitivity for motivation in sharing personally, “Am I sharing this for my sake or the Seeker’s?” Put the Seeker first.

Able to help people with fluctuating needs and states of mind including anger and alternate and perceived realities, to stay grounded and engaged in the activities at hand.

Tension Reduction: Able to de-escalate escalating situations.

Active Learning: Understands implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Collaboration: Works well with others both in and out of Inner Fire in ways that build bridges.

Politeness and Respect: Interacts with difficult individuals politely and respectfully.

Self-Care: Maintains inner development and self-centering practices to stay grounded and be able to be one’s best self at work.

Compensation

This non-exempt position's hourly rate is between $20 and $22 an hour. Raises based on education, experience and performance.

Benefits

- Paid Time Off after a waiting period

- Meals provided during shift

- EAP