Culinary Partner

Kitchen Partner / Lead Cook – Scratch Cooking, Local Ingredients & Creative Freedom (Apartment Available!)Location: Mapleton, ME (The Maple Den)Position: Lead Cook / Culinary Partner (Full-Time)Compensation: Competitive Pay + Housing Negotiation AvailableThe Story So FarWe opened The Maple Den in Mapleton just two months ago with a simple, honest goal: to create a warm, community-focused gathering place that celebrates the absolute best of Maine’s food scene.The response from our community has been incredible, and we’re off to a fantastic start. But to take this place to the next level, we need the right person in the kitchen beside us. We aren't just looking for someone to flip burgers or follow a prep sheet—we are looking for a true culinary partner who loves food as much as we do and wants to grow with us.What We Do (And Why We Care)We take food seriously, but we don't take ourselves too seriously. We believe in high-quality craft and a true sense of place.From Scratch, Every Day: We make our own fresh pastas, hand-craft our sauces, and take pride in doing things the right way, not the easy way.Supporting Local: We source our beef, pork, chicken, lamb, and seafood directly from local farms and Maine fisheries.A Real Team Culture: There’s no back-of-house vs. front-of-house drama here. We’re a small, tight-knit team that supports one another, stays humble, and works together to make sure every guest leaves happy.What We’re Looking For in YouIf you have a genuine passion for cooking and a fire to keep learning, you’ll fit right in.You love the craft: You have solid kitchen experience, great knife skills, and a deep respect for food safety and clean, organized workspaces.You’re creative and curious: You love playing with seasonal local ingredients, coming up with specials, and refining recipes. Your ideas will actually be heard and put on the menu here.You take pride in consistency: You care about how every single plate looks and tastes before it leaves the pass.You’re reliable and grounded: You bring good energy, clear communication, and a strong work ethic to every shift.The Deal (And a Very Cool Perk)We want this to be a place you actually enjoy coming to work every day. You’ll have real creative freedom, a supportive environment, and the chance to leave your stamp on a growing local restaurant.Plus, we have a private apartment right above the restaurant that can be negotiated as part of your overall compensation package—making this a great setup if you're looking for a fresh start or a seamless move!How to ConnectWe’d love to hear your story! Please send us a message and tell us:A little bit about yourself and your background in the kitchen.Why you're drawn to scratch cooking and what excites you about coming to work at The Maple Den.(If you have a resume or photos of dishes you're proud of, feel free to send those along too!)We'll be reaching out personally to set up a time to sit down, grab a coffeelocally or digitally, and talk about the role. We can't wait to meet you!