Culinary Manager / Chef Instructor at The Trustees of Reservations

Description

Who We Are:

Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is Massachusetts’ premier conservation and preservation organization. The Trustees’ preserves, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. Our properties are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in all that we do. We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity, and have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000+ acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. As a non-profit conservation organization, we are funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 100,000 Member households. We encourage you to learn more about The Trustees on our website, www.thetrustees.org. 

Posting Information: 

Salary: $61,250 - $78,750 

New hires are placed in the range between $61,250 - $71,750 

Hours per week: 40 

Job Classification: Full-Time Exempt 

Job Location Type: Onsite 

Location: Powisset Farm, Dover, MA 

What You’ll Do:

Your Impact: 

At Powisset Farm, food is one of the most immediate and powerful ways visitors connect to the land. As the Culinary Manager / Chef Instructor, you will translate the farm’s agricultural mission into meaningful culinary experiences that bring seasonal ingredients to life. Through cooking classes, retail food production, and private programs, you will deepen visitor engagement, strengthen our farm-to-table identity, and contribute directly to earned revenue goals. Your work will help ensure that every culinary interaction reflects the quality, care, and sustainability at the heart of The Trustees’ mission. 

The Role: 

As the Culinary Manager / Chef Instructor, you’ll serve as the culinary ambassador for Powisset Farm. You will design and deliver hands-on cooking programs, develop retail food offerings for the Farm Store, support private and public events, and oversee kitchen operations. This is a highly public-facing role that blends instruction, production, hospitality, and operational management.

Specifically, you’ll: 

• Design and lead engaging cooking classes for adults, families, and youth that highlight seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. 
• Develop curriculum, lesson plans, and seasonal menus aligned with farm production and engagement goals. 
• Test, refine, and document recipes for instructional and retail use. 
• Create and produce a high-quality line of prepared foods for the Farm Store, prioritizing farm-grown ingredients whenever possible. 
• Develop new retail products in response to seasonal availability and visitor demand. 
• Serve as house chef for private dining experiences and small private cooking classes. 
• Collaborate with Engagement and Events teams to design culinary components of public and private programs. 
• Train event chefs and support staff on kitchen standards and procedures. 
• Oversee kitchen operations, including inventory management, ordering, cost control, food waste reduction, and equipment maintenance. 
• Ensure full compliance with food safety regulations and internal policies. 
• Foster a welcoming, educational, and professional environment for visitors, staff, and volunteers. 

This is a full-time, exempt position working 40 hours per week reporting directly to the Senior Regional Engagement Manager.  

Requirements

What You’ll Need:

Skills and Experience: 

• Strong foundation in culinary technique and seasonal menu development. 

• Ability to translate food knowledge into clear, engaging instruction for diverse audiences. 

• Practical understanding of kitchen operations, food safety, and cost awareness. 

• Comfort working in a fast-paced, public-facing environment. 

• Ability to balance instruction, production, and operational responsibilities. 

• Collaborative approach to working with engagement staff, event teams, and volunteers. 

Required: 

• 4-7 years of relevant professional experience, including: 

• Professional culinary experience in a restaurant, farm, catering, or educational setting. 

• Experience teaching or facilitating hands-on culinary instruction for diverse audiences. 

•  Strong knowledge of seasonal cooking and local sourcing. 

•  Demonstrated ability to manage kitchen operations, including inventory and food safety compliance. 

•  Excellent interpersonal and communication skills in a public-facing environment. 

•  Ability to work evenings and weekends as programming requires. 

•  ServSafe certification (or ability to obtain upon hire). 

Preferred: 

•  Experience developing retail food products or packaged goods. 

•  Experience working in a farm-based, nonprofit, or mission-driven organization. 

•  Experience supporting private events or small-scale catering. 

•  Supervisory or volunteer management experience. 

Eligibility Criteria: 

• Current authorization to work in the United States – a candidate must have such authorization by his or her first day of employment. 

• A valid driver’s license, as well as a satisfactory driving record as outlined in The Trustees’ driving policy.

• A satisfactory criminal background (CORI) check. 

Don’t quite have all the skills and experience listed above? We still want to hear from you! Research shows that historically marginalized groups are less likely to apply if they do not meet every single requirement. We are committed to building a diverse team and encourage you to apply even if you are missing some of the skills and experience above.  

Questions? Contact our People team at [email protected] 

Benefits

Your Benefits:

• Sick time: 15 days per year 
• Vacation time: 20 days per year (prorated) 
• 12 observed holidays, 3 floating 
• Health insurance: You are eligible to participate in the Trustees health insurance benefit via Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS). BCBS also offers additional benefits, such as fitness reimbursement and rewards for healthy habits.  
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance 
• Massachusetts Paid Family Medical Leave 
• Life Insurance  
• 401k with 5% match after 1 year of employment 
• Employee Assistance Program: Free access to a confidential service that helps employees and their communities with personal and work-related issues, such as mental health support, counseling, and financial advice.  
• Reciprocity: Enjoy access to free and discounted admission and membership to more than 50 nearby museums and cultural institutions for Trustees Staff, Volunteers and Interns. 
• Discounts: Enjoy free entry to all Trustees properties, discount event tickets, and discounted merchandise at our stores and on stays at our inns.  
• Day of Wonder: Spend one workday per year to exploring a Trustees property 
• Day of Service: Spend one workday per year to helping with a project at a Trustees property  

Equal Opportunity and Diversity: 

The Trustees is a proud equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any protected status including, but not limited to, age, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual preferences, nation of origin, religion, or disability status and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with varying abilities, 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.    

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

 It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.  

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible work environment. To request reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact us at [email protected].