Job Summary
Ancient Path Farms is seeking a passionate and dependable Part-Time Lead Chef / Menu Development Chef to help launch and lead our organic-focused meal delivery program in Wilmington, NC.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys creating wholesome, nutrient-dense meals, developing weekly menus, cooking in bulk, and helping build kitchen systems from the ground up. The Lead Chef will be responsible for creating seasonal meal menus, preparing meals in a commercial kitchen, maintaining food safety standards, supporting ingredient sourcing, and helping shape the overall culinary direction of the program.
A background or strong interest in nutrition, wellness cooking, chronic illness support, recovery meals, aging support, or therapeutic-style cooking is a plus.
This is a part-time role to start, estimated at 8–12 kitchen hours per week, with potential to grow as customer demand increases.
Responsibilities
- Create weekly menus for organic-focused meal delivery customers.
- Develop balanced meals using whole-food, nutrient-dense ingredients.
- Plan meals that consider common dietary needs, allergies, preferences, and wellness goals.
- Prepare meals in batches for weekly delivery.
- Cook proteins, grains, vegetables, soups, broths, sauces, and add-ons according to approved menus.
- Portion and package meals neatly with consistency, quality, and presentation in mind.
- Help create and standardize recipes, prep lists, shopping lists, and production workflows.
- Support ingredient sourcing, inventory planning, and food cost control.
- Maintain high standards for food safety, sanitation, cooling, storage, and labeling.
- Help build efficient kitchen systems as the business grows.
- Communicate clearly about menu needs, ingredient shortages, timing, and production concerns.
- Support a calm, organized, and mission-driven kitchen environment.
Requirements
- Minimum 2+ years of experience in the food service industry, meal prep, catering, private chef work, restaurant kitchens, wellness cooking, or a similar culinary setting.
- ServSafe of Food Handler certification strongly preferred.
- Culinary experience in meal prep, catering, private chef work, restaurant kitchens, wellness cooking, or similar food service settings.
- Experience creating menus or comfort developing weekly meal plans.
- Ability to cook in bulk while maintaining quality, flavor, and consistency.
- Strong understanding of food safety, sanitation, cooling, storage, and safe handling procedures.
- Interest in organic, non-GMO, minimally processed, whole-food cooking.
- Nutrition background, culinary nutrition training, wellness cooking experience, or related education is a strong plus.
- Comfort working with dietary restrictions, allergies, and customer preferences when provided.
- Organized, reliable, self-directed, and able to lead production with minimal supervision.
- Ability to help improve recipes, systems, and kitchen workflows over time.
Schedule & Pay
Part-time to start: approximately 8–12 hours per week
Estimated schedule: 2 prep/cook days per week, about 4 hours per day
Pay: $18–$20/hour depending on experience
Location: Wilmington, NC area commercial kitchen
Growth potential as customer volume increases.
About Ancient Path Farms
Ancient Path Farms provides organic-focused meal delivery for individuals and families seeking nourishing, thoughtfully prepared meals made with quality ingredients. Our meals are designed to support wellness, recovery seasons, aging well, and caregiver relief through fresh, whole-food based cooking.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is someone who can help create efficient menus with nutrition in mind, lead kitchen preparation, care about ingredient quality, and bring structure to a growing meal delivery program.
How to Apply
Please send your resume or a brief summary of your cooking experience, menu development experience, availability, and any food safety or nutrition-related certifications.
Pay: $18.00 - $20.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
