First Cook in Lexington, Massachusetts at Wilson Farm

Wilson Farm is seeking an experienced and motivated First Cook to join our culinary team.

This is a hands-on opportunity for an accomplished cook who takes pride in their craft and enjoys working with fresh, seasonal ingredients in a fast-paced, high-quality kitchen. Our prepared foods are made for our busy retail farm stand, with a focus on consistency, flavor, presentation, and the quality our customers have come to expect from Wilson Farm.

As a member of our culinary team, you will work alongside experienced culinary professionals under the leadership of our Master Chef of France, preparing American-French inspired cuisine and a wide variety of seasonal prepared foods.

We are looking for someone who can confidently take ownership of a station, work independently when needed, and also jump in wherever necessary to help the kitchen succeed. If you have a strong culinary foundation, enjoy scratch cooking, and want to continue developing your skills in a unique farm-to-kitchen environment, we'd love to hear from you.

What You'll Do

• Prepare and produce high-quality food for sale in our retail farm stand, following established recipes, production standards, and specifications.
• Take ownership of an assigned station, including mise en place, production, organization, sanitation, and end-of-shift responsibilities.
• Ensure food is prepared accurately, consistently, and on schedule while maintaining high standards for taste, appearance, freshness, and food safety.
• Work closely with the Chef and culinary team to execute daily and seasonal production needs.
• Utilize fresh, seasonal ingredients, including products grown and sourced by Wilson Farm.
• Maintain proper food storage, labeling, rotation, and handling practices.
• Keep work areas clean, organized, and ready for efficient production.
• Assist other stations and team members as needed to keep kitchen operations running smoothly.
• Follow all food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety requirements.
• Contribute to a professional, respectful, and team-oriented kitchen environment.

What We're Looking For

• Approximately 3 years of professional cooking experience in a scratch kitchen, restaurant, hotel, prepared-food operation, or similar culinary environment.
• Strong fundamental cooking and food preparation skills.
• Experience with French, American, European, or similar cuisine is a plus.
• Ability to independently manage a station and prioritize production needs.
• Strong attention to quality, consistency, organization, and detail.
• Ability to work efficiently and maintain composure in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
• Dependable, punctual, and committed to being part of a collaborative kitchen team.
• ServSafe certification is a plus.
• Availability to work approximately 45–50 hours per week, generally 7:00 AM–5:00 PM, including Saturdays and Sundays. This position typically has two scheduled weekdays off and requires additional holiday availability based on business needs.

Physical Requirements

This is an active, hands-on kitchen position. Candidates must be able to:

• Stand and work on their feet for extended periods, typically 8–10 hours.
• Regularly lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Work safely around commercial cooking equipment and in environments that may include heat, cold, and temperature changes.
• Bend, reach, lift, carry, and perform repetitive food-preparation tasks throughout the workday.

If you're an experienced cook who takes pride in producing great food and wants to be part of a hardworking, collaborative culinary team, we encourage you to apply.