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About the CAM Chef-in-Residence

CAM is seeking a passionate, skilled chef to create delicious five-star meals for 25 high school fellows and seven full-time staff over the course of our 3-week program in Memphis, TN. The Chef-In-Residence will be charged with developing a schedule of meals across the 3 weeks. They will take that schedule, and provide consistent, quality meals to the attendees of the program. Their daily duties will include preparing breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks 7 days a week, with intentionality given to informing the fellows on the history and source of the food they are eating. Additional tasks will include daily kitchen prep and cleanup. CAM is giving a rising local chef the opportunity to create creative meals, introduce Memphis area high schoolers to new and exciting foods, and get hands-on experience with Professional Chefs from some of the finest Memphis restaurants.

Why Have We Built This Program?

As an arts organization, CAM wants to cultivate multiple forms of the creative arts. This Chef-In-Residence is an opportunity to bridge the gap between the Culinary Arts and Visual Arts; showcasing the similarities between the two. By personally engaging with an up-and-coming Chef, CAM hopes to provide an amazing educational experience to the Chef that joins us and an exceptional culinary experience for the Fellows participating in our program. Chefs and visual artists share several essential qualities. Both consider color, balance, presentation, and audience when making their art. Learning about the evolution and history behind art helps the viewer understand and appreciate the piece more. As the Chef-in-Residence, the goal is similar: the creation of flavorful & nourishing dishes for the Fellows, but to teach them about the origins of each dish during the presentation of each meal. Our Fellows come from all across our community. Some may have exposure to fine dining or select foods, while others may not. Consequently, the role also has a distinct educational component to it.

How to Apply

Use the drop down menu below to view the position description.
Once you are ready to apply, please send your materials to jobs@camsummer.org
We look forward to hearing from you!

CAM Chef-in-Residence OPENING


About Contemporary Arts Memphis “CAM”:
Founded by Memphis native and New York-based artist Derek Fordjour, CAM Summer Fellowship is a 4-week program designed to empower high school artists in their early development in ways that expand their thinking, inspire ambition and expose them to experiences that inform better decision-making. From June 4th, 2023 to June 22nd, 2023, our Summer Fellowship Program will be hosted at St. Columba Event and Retreat Center. With 145 acres of unspoiled natural beauty, St. Columba is a camp and retreat center that serves young people, schools, organizations, churches, and families in a secluded yet convenient corner of Memphis, Tennessee.

POSITION OVERVIEW
CAM is seeking a passionate, skilled chef to create delicious five-star meals for 25 high school fellows and 7 full-time staff throughout our 3-week program in Memphis, TN. The Chef-In-Residence will be charged with developing a schedule of meals across the 3 weeks. They will take that schedule, and provide consistent, quality meals to the attendees of the program. Their daily duties will include preparing breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks 7 days a week, with intentionality given to informing the fellows on the history and source of the food they are eating. Additional tasks will include daily kitchen prep and cleanup. CAM is giving a rising local chef the opportunity to prepare creative meals, introduce Memphis area high schoolers to new and exciting foods, and get hands-on experience with Professional Chefs from some of the finest Memphis restaurants.

As an arts organization, CAM wants to cultivate multiple forms of the creative arts. This Chef-In-Residence is an opportunity to bridge the gap between the Culinary Arts and Visual Arts; showcasing the similarities between the two. By personally engaging with an up-and-coming Chef, CAM hopes to provide an amazing educational experience to the Chef that joins us and an exceptional culinary experience for the Fellows participating in our program.

Chefs and visual artists share several essential qualities. Both consider color, balance, presentation, and audience when making their art. Learning about the evolution and history behind art helps the viewer understand and appreciate the piece more. As the Chef-in-Residence, the goal is similar: the creation of flavorful & nourishing dishes for the Fellows, but to teach them about the origins of each dish during the presentation of each meal. Our Fellows come from all across our community. Some may have exposure to fine dining or select foods, while others may not. Consequently, the role also has a distinct educational component to it.    

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Prior to CAM Start:

● Create a three-week food budget.
● Develop a three-week schedule of meals for CAM.
● Build a culinary team that will assist you throughout the program.
● Source your ingredients and arrange for supply deliveries.
● Tour St. Columba and get comfortable with the space.

Onsite - Summer Fellowship:

● Ensure that all food is of excellent quality and served in a timely manner for roughly 35 people 7 days a week. There are an estimated 58 total meals, with 21 Breakfasts, 20 lunches, and 17 Dinners that the Chef-In-Residence will be responsible for.
● Prepare for an on-site open house reception for roughly 25 visitors.
● Ensure that food allergies/sensitivities are adhered to. CAM asks Fellows for this information (along with food likes/dislikes) in the CAM registration packet.
● Overseeing all kitchen operations.
● Enforcing the highest safety and sanitation standards in the kitchen.
● Receiving feedback and making improvements when necessary.
● Responsible for creating innovative and modern menus and applying culinary trends to prepare food in line with the objectives of CAM.
● Responsible for transporting lunch to UofM or creating an alternative plan of action to provide meals to Fellows.
● Strong knowledge of special dietary restrictions and ability to come up with creative alternatives.
● Be able to live on-site (St. Columba) for 3 weeks, June 4 - Jun 23, 2022. (optional)
● Give a brief explanation of the meal to the fellows at the beginning of each meal. This should be educational in nature.
● Keep St. Columba meals chalkboard updated with meals of the day.
● Maintain close contact with the St. Columba management team as well as the CAM Management Team.
● Oversee the purchase and delivery of ingredients and supplies to St. Columba.

BASIC SCHEDULE OF MEALS
Sunday 6/4/23 - 12:00pm - Welcome Brunch for Estimated 25 Fellows/50 Parents/Family Members/10 Staff.
TBA - 5:00pm - Open House for 25 Fellows/8 Staff/5 Guest.
Breakfast - Monday through Thursday 6/5/23-6/22/23 -  7:30am - Hosted in the dining room at Scheibler Lodge for 25 Fellows/6 Staff.
Lunch - Monday through Thursday 6/5/23-6/22/23 - 11:30am - Sack lunches to be delivered to UoM Campus for 25 Fellows/6 Staff.
Dinner - Monday through Thursday 6/5/23-6/22/23 - 6:30pm - Hosted in the dining room at Scheibler Lodge for 25 Fellows/6 Staff.
Meals - Friday & Sundays - Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner will be served at St. Columba’s Scheibler Lodge at the previously mentioned times. Times may be adjusted due to the program schedule.
Dinner - Saturdays - Dinner on the first two Saturdays of the program will be hosted off-site at a local restaurant. The Chef-in-Residence will be responsible for arranging these meals with the restaurant.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
● Must enjoy working with teens and have a keen interest in nonprofit work/mentoring.
● Culinary school degree/diploma.
● Past experience as a working chef.
● Advanced knowledge of the culinary arts.
● Perfectionism in sanitation and quality control.
● Expert multitasking ability.
● Great leadership and interpersonal skills.
● Ability to take stock of materials and place orders for resupply.
● Exemplary work ethic in a high-pressure environment.
● Passion and pride for delighting people with food.
● Ability to respond quickly to feedback.
● Contingency Plan in case they are unable to fulfill their obligations.
● Ability to pass an extensive background check.

APPLICATION
Deadline: April 1st, 2023.
Letter of Interest: Note your interest in working with CAM and your specific experience/interest in working with teens.
Resume/C.V.
Three professional references.
Portfolio of creative, unique dishes with descriptions.
Must be able to provide a sample menu or provide sample dishes, if asked.

LOCATION
St. Columba Event and Retreat Center
4577 Billy Maher Rd, Memphis, TN 38135

PAY
$20,000 Total Compensation for the Chef and their team (sous chef, porter, etc.)


BUDGET
$20,000 additional budget for all supplies, transportation, sourcing, presentation, etc.

DATES OF OBLIGATION
Planning Meetings will begin in the months prior to the start of the CAM Summer Program. Weekly Meetings should be expected.
June 4, 2023, to June 22nd, 2023 - Onsite at St. Columba Event Center.
August 22nd, 2023 - Awards Ceremony @ the Brooks Museum of Art.

Apply