Job Opportunities

Have you ever dreamed about using your culinary talents on a farm?  Would you like to be part of a local foods movement that educates consumers about the diversity and flavors of foods harvested at their peak and prepared in true artisanal spirit? If so, we have an incredible job opportunity for you.

Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery is a small, farmstead & artisan cheeserie located in central Illinois (about 130 miles south of Chicago; just outside the city limits of Champaign-Urbana).  We milk 50-70 goats and receive sheep milk from a nearby Amish sheep dairy.  We make cheese seasonally from March through December and sell our products through farmers’ markets, to restaurants and local retail stores. Our cheeses are used widely throughout the finest kitchens in Chicago restaurants. We have also won several national awards for our cheeses.

We also have a small, certified organic fruit orchard and vegetable garden.  In addition to the creamery and farm, we have a certified commercial kitchen from which we prepare seasonal “Dinners on the Farm” and make value-added products from our organic fruits, vegetables and herbs.  Our Farm Dinner series has received national attention in Bon Appetit Magazine and Food & Wine Magazine. 

We seek a highly motivated, creative person with culinary experience interested in learning the craft of cheesemaking and assisting with our “Dinners on the Farm.” The position is full time (40 hours/week) starting March 1 through the end of December.  We are looking for someone willing to commit to at least one season (2010) with the possibility of a more permanent, long-term position. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience.

Responsibilities include:

• Assist with basic processes of cheesemaking and maintaining aged cheeses
• Maintain good records and hygienic conditions in cheeserie including routine and intensive weekly cleaning
• Prepare and organize cheeses for farmers’ markets and other sales outlets
• Sell cheese at farmers’ markets
• Assist head chef in preparation of farm dinners
• Assist with other kitchen activities such as food preservation and development of other value-added farm products

Desired qualifications include:

• Culinary background (either formal training through culinary school and/or on the job training)
• Strong interest and desire to learn the art and science of cheesemaking
• Attention to detail
• Meticulous hygiene skills
• Willingness to perform routine, repetitive and sometimes tedious tasks
• Willingness to work hard
• Prior cheesemaking experience a plus but not a requirement

Application deadline is: February 5, 2010

Please send a letter of interest, resume and list of three references to:

Leslie Cooperband

Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery

4410 N. Lincoln Ave.

Champaign, Illinois 61822

Tel: 217-643-2314

Email: prairiefruits@gmail.com

Website: www.prairiefruits.com