Position: F&B Manager
Location: Good Dharma, Ahangama, Sri Lanka
Type: Full-Time - seasonal

About Us:

We are an international school and a vegetable farm - the outdoors and the gardens are our classrooms. Our permaculture garden is the heart of it all and this year we are opening a garden café with a public playground between the rice paddies and the vegetable gardens. A big playground has been built around the café space, the vision is for it to be a very child friendly and family friendly space. The gardens stretch across the property - we grow various of fruits as well as vegetables under and above soil, our own spices such as black pepper, chillis, curry leaves and more. As our F&B Manager you will be responsible for managing all F&B operations, ensuring the highest quality of food, service, and customer satisfaction. It’s a small team and you will be required to work in the kitchen as well as on the floor meeting and greeting customers as well as on the farm, working with our gardener for a true farm to table concept.

Responsibilities:

• Menu Development:

  • Create seasonal menus that reflect our commitment to fresh, local, and sustainable ingredients.

  • Develop new recipes and adapt existing ones to incorporate farm-fresh produce and artisanal products.

  • Ensure that all dishes are prepared to the highest standards of quality and presentation.

• Operation Management:

  • Oversee daily kitchen and floor operations, including food preparation, cooking, and plating.

  • Manage kitchen and floor staff, including training, scheduling, and performance evaluations.

  • Ensure compliance with all health and safety regulations, maintaining a clean and organized kitchen environment.

  • Monitor service quality, presentation, and cleanliness in all F&B areas

  • Coordinate with the kitchen and service staff for seamless operations.

• Sourcing and Procurement:

  • Establish and maintain relationships with local farmers, producers, and suppliers.

  • Source high-quality, seasonal ingredients that align with our farm-to-table ethos.

  • Manage inventory and control food costs, minimizing waste and maximizing efficiency.

• Customer Experience:

  • Interact with customers to understand their preferences and feedback.

  • Create a welcoming and engaging dining experience that highlights the story behind our ingredients and dishes.

  • Collaborate with front-of-house staff to ensure seamless service and exceptional customer satisfaction.

• Sustainability and Innovation:

  • Implement sustainable practices in the kitchen, including waste reduction and composting.

  • Stay informed about food trends and innovations, incorporating new techniques and ideas into the menu.

  • Promote the café’s farm-to-table philosophy through community events, workshops, and collaborations.

• Vegetable Garden management

  • Work with our gardener to manage the vegetable, fruit and spice gardens

  • Ensure the menu planning and garden planning are inline to create fresh and interesting menus

  • Ensure permaculture practises is reflected in the gardens as well as the café

Qualifications:

• Proven experience as a F&B Manager, Chef or Restaurant Manager preferably in a farm-to-table or similar setting.

• Culinary degree or equivalent professional experience.

• Strong knowledge of sustainable food practices and seasonal ingredients.

• Excellent leadership and management skills.

• Creativity and passion for developing unique, high-quality dishes.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

• Experience with planting, gardening and growing food is a big bonus

What We Offer:

• A dynamic and supportive work environment.

• Opportunities for professional growth and creativity.

• Competitive salary and benefits package.

• The chance to work with fresh, local ingredients and contribute to a sustainable food movement.