Friends turned business partners, Taylor Cocalis and Dorothy Neagle are ecstatic about the June 2010 launch of Good Food Jobs, a unique pay-per-post job board that will link the food community together.
Each posting on Good Food Jobs will be screened for relevance by Taylor and Dorothy to create a pool of individuals that can connect with other specialized and ardent food professionals who care about food and where it comes from. Their blog, the gastro.gnomes, will be incorporated into the site to profile people with interesting food jobs to inspire readers and reinforce their mission. Eventually, the website will expand to include face to face events and educational programs.
Good Food Jobs uniquely targets professionals on the other side of the culinary world, i.e. - those who don’t work in a kitchen. Translation: You won’t necessarily find a line cook position, but you will see postings for an artisan baker, experienced beekeeper, urban farmer, espresso machine technician or pastry apprenticeship.
The site evolved from Taylor Cocalis’ prior experience as Education Director at Murray’s Cheese, where she often was asked for guidance from people who wanted to work with food, but not in a kitchen. Using her vast network, she linked people together for potential opportunities whenever possible.
Taylor recruited Dorothy Neagle into the Good Food Jobs due to their existing friendship and their mutual interest in food, agriculture and sustainability. Dorothy came on board after realizing her career in interior design wasn’t fulfilling as much anymore. She decided that what really mattered to her was the experiences and ideas she grew up with on her family’s farm in rural Kentucky. Seeking to restore the early connections she made with food and where it comes from, Dorothy recognized that this enterprise afforded her the opportunity to make a larger impact.
Taylor and Dorothy are cheerleaders for good food. While talking with them and sampling some ridiculously rich artisan ice cream at Van Leeuwen’s, I couldn’t help but be excited for them. Their enthusiasm is contagious. Good Food Jobs has the potential to be a big asset for the disparate food community, so when you read about them in a couple of months on Grub Street or Gothamist, just remember that little ol’ me got their exclusive first interview.
What a fabulous idea!!!! When I read about them soon, I will know where I read about it first. :-)
ReplyDeleteI have been speaking with Taylor about the industry in NY, as I live in Richmond VA. She is very knowledgeable about food and has been a wonderful resource, as well as a delight to speak with. The site will definitely be my source to food in NY!
ReplyDeleteI think this idea is fantastic. I can't wait to follow along and see where the road takes it. As a fellow Cornell Hotelie who is extremely passionate about food, I too am not interested in the kitchen or the mundane and thankless operations jobs that follow most food lovers. I have felt there is always something more out there, I have just not quite found it. I'm excited to see the things you guys come up with and gather some inspiration.
ReplyDeleteCheers to a great idea and all the best!!