LJA Mission Statement:

The mission of Lake Junaluska is to be a place of Christian hospitality where lives are transformed through renewal of soul, mind and body. 

Located in the Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina, Lake Junaluska is a conference and retreat center that hosts over 50,000 overnight guests annually.  We have over 400 lodging rooms, a campground, and meeting space for up to 2,000 people.  All of our facilities are located on a scenic 1,200 acre campus which boasts panoramic views, abundant recreation opportunities, and a 200 acre lake.   Our market ranges from youth groups to affluent leisure guests primarily from the Southeastern US.

Essential Functions

• Must possess excellent hospitality skills and a strong desire to foster an attitude of Christian hospitality to “exceed guest expectations”.
• Know and comply with standard cooking methods, quality standards, and kitchen practices.
• Cook a variety of meats, seafood, poultry, vegetables and other food items using broilers, ovens, grill, fryers, and a variety of other kitchen equipment.
• Prep items for daily menu service for Terrace Bistro and for other special events and dining room meals.
• Assists or responsible for the preparation of meals for on-site special events and/or off-site catering.
• Portion all products, follow the recipes, and always ensure the plate presentation meets food quality standards including consistency and plate presentations.
• Responsible for keeping work area clean. Following all sanitation standards, ensuring work areas remain organized and clean, while following all safe food handling standards.
• In a fast paced environment, must be able to cook the exact number of items ordered by each guest timely, while working on several different orders simultaneously.
• Verify that the prepared food meets the requirements for quality and quantity.
• Must maintain a positive, pleasant attitude at all times.
• Able to accept direction and training from senior staff members, and management.
• Must perform calmly and effectively in an extremely busy and stressful work environment.
• Must be able to work effectively and be a positive contributor to the team.
• Be flexible to fill in where needed to ensure guest service standards and efficient operations are met.
• Ensure that all equipment is kept clean during and at the end of each shift, reporting maintenance issues promptly to the supervisor.
• Safely operates all equipment necessary for food preparation including convection ovens, stoves, meat slicers, chopper, knives, steamers, steam kettles and skillets.
• Keep all equipment, storage areas, and work areas clean and maintained to the standards set by the North Carolina Department of Health.
• Be ServSafe certified or willing and able to become certified within 30 days of hire.
• Wear and maintain clean Lake Junaluska staff uniform, to include, name tag, hair net and face coverings.
• Comply with all standard safety policies as well as Covid-19 related safety procedures, and report any unsafe activities or conditions immediately to supervisor or the Human Resources department.
• Must comply with all LJA Human Resources Policies and Procedures, and departmental procedures.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned and required.
• Must be flexible to work a variable schedule to include, days, nights, weekends, holidays and overtime as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• A combination of education and experience equivalent to an Associates or Bachelor’s degree in Culinary, or 2 year experience in a restaurant setting required.
• Line cook, baking and pastry, and cooking for large special catering events experience a plus.
• Must be able to perform with speed and efficiency while maintaining a positive and calm disposition required for growing restaurant and conference center.
• Must have demonstrated good communication skills, guest relation skills, and a commitment to providing responsive and conscientious customer service.
• Must be flexible and able to adapt to changing needs, multiple task demands, and work structures.
• Ability to read and comprehend instructions, short correspondence, emails, and memos.
• Ability to effectively present job related information upon request to customers, guests, and employees of the organization.
• Proven organizational skills and interpersonal skills required and is not negotiable. 
• Must be able to effectively manage time to complete all necessary tasks in the scheduled time allotted.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule formats.
• Must be willing and able to work a flexible schedule to include days, nights, weekends, holidays and overtime as required.

Performance/Success Factors

• Be punctual to work and other related functions
• Perform well in a team environment
• Complete work in a timely, accurate, and thorough manner
• Ability to prioritize daily tasks and events 
• Perform routine duties with minimal supervision
• Provide leadership to others through example and sharing of knowledge/skill
• Strives for excellence in all tasks and duties and foster an attitude of “exceeding guest expectations”
• Able to work independently but operate within LJA policy guidelines using independent judgment

Working Conditions

• Moderate physical activity performing strenuous and non-strenuous task with moderate to loud noise.
• Well-lighted, heated (sometimes extreme) indoor facility with adequate ventilation – Kitchen area.
• Ability to coordinate work, frequently moves about, able to stand for prolonged periods of time, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, talk to and hear staff and customer requests,  and also lifts or otherwise move objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to taste and smell for food preparation.
• Must have adequate vision to read recipes and carry out daily activities.
• Must be able to work a variable schedule week to week.

Lake Junaluska is an Equal Opportunity Employer