Chef in Residence
Season 2026 · May–October · Waldoboro, Maine
Most chef roles hand you a kitchen and a job description. This one hands you a farm.
This is not a visiting chef program. The Chef in Residence at Tops'l Farm lives on the property, leads the kitchen across multiple programs, and for the right person, this is the beginning of something longer.
We are nine seasons in and at an inflection point. A new food production facility is being built. A product line is ready to launch. A culinary identity that is genuinely rooted in this land has the potential to shape something that doesn't yet exist in Maine.
We are looking for a Chef in Residence who wants to be part of building what comes next — not just running a season. The role begins in May and continues through October (we can discuss specific dates). Where it goes from there depends on who you are and what you bring.
The Kitchen
— Two distinct experiences each week — intimate Farm Stay experiences for ~35 guests and private events for up to 150.
— Farm Stay brunch & dinners Mon–Tue: the creative heart of what we do here. You and the owner build the menus together.
— Private events Thu–Sat: weddings and celebrations held to the same creative standard as everything else out of this kitchen
— Wood-fired oven and open flame central to the program
— A strong Sous Chef alongside you
What We're Looking For
— A chef who cooks with a point of view and wants a creative partner, not a client or a place to punch in/out.
— Comfortable in both intimate and high-volume settings — the rhythm here shifts week to week
— Farm-to-table instincts: you know how to source, let ingredients lead, and cook seasonally
— Live-fire experience is a strong asset — instinct matters more than prior equipment access
— Charcuterie experience / experience with HACCP - a genuine bonus
— Entrepreneurial: the ability (and excitement) to see culinary opportunities beyond the weekly schedule and help shape what this kitchen becomes at scale
The Details
— Season: May 1 – October 31, 2026
— On-property housing included
— Competitive salary
— For the right candidate: winter project work and a longer conversation about what this becomes
The Mission
We are part of Maine's agricultural community, not just adjacent to it. That relationship carries a mission — one that extends meaningfully to the people working the land and waters across this state. The chef who joins us this season will learn more about that when we meet.
If this sounds like the right season — and the right beginning — reach out. Tell us who you are and what draws you here. We'd love to talk.
Please submit applications to: