What are the responsibilities and job description for the Cheese Specialist position at Walter Stewart's Market?
Job Overview
We are seeking a passionate and knowledgeable Cheese Specialist to join our team. This role is ideal for someone with a deep love for cheese, charcuterie, and specialty foods, who enjoys creating engaging, educational, and profitable departments. The Cheese Specialist will be responsible for curating and serving a diverse selection of cheeses and accompaniments, ensuring an exceptional experience for our customers. If you dream about cheese and have a knack for hospitality and food presentation, this is the perfect opportunity to turn your passion into a career.
Responsibilities
- Curate and showcase a wide variety of cheeses including domestic, imported, farmstead, and local options.
- Prepare and serve cheese boards ranging from intimate pairings for two to large-scale displays for up to 100 guests.
- Develop and maintain an engaging cheese department that is fun, educational, and profitable.
- Handle all aspects of cheese service, including presentation, tasting notes, and pairing suggestions.
- Manage specialty food offerings such as charcuterie, olives, antipasti, pesto, tapenade, cheese condiments, and fresh pasta.
- Explore cheesemaking techniques such as mozzarella production and share knowledge with customers.
- Assist with the selection and service of luxury items like caviar.
- Educate customers about different cheese types—domestic, imported, farmstead—and their unique characteristics.
- Maintain cleanliness and organization of the cheese department while ensuring product quality and freshness.
- Collaborate with team members to create innovative displays and promotional events centered around cheese and specialty foods.
Qualifications
- Passion for cheese, charcuterie, specialty foods, and culinary arts.
- Strong knowledge of various cheeses including domestic, imported, farmstead, local cheeses as well as accompaniments like olives, antipasti, pesto, tapenade, and condiments.
- Experience in creating cheese boards for diverse group sizes; familiarity with all aspects of cheese service is preferred.
- Basic understanding of cheesemaking processes such as mozzarella production is a plus.
- Excellent customer service skills with the ability to educate and engage guests about cheese varieties and pairings.
- Creative mindset with an eye for presentation and detail in food display.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while maintaining high standards of quality and safety.
- Prior experience in specialty food retail or culinary settings is required; enthusiasm for learning is essential.
Join us as a Cheese Specialist to share your love of fine foods with our incredible customers!
Pay: $21.00 - $24.00 per hour
Expected hours: 35.0 – 45.0 per week
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Profit sharing
- Referral program
- Retirement plan
Work Location: In person
Salary : $21 - $24