About the Role Sugar Hollow Retreat is seeking an experienced, detail-oriented Lead Event Cook to run back-of-house meal execution for our destination weddings and multi-day private retreats. Nestled in the mountains just outside the Boone area, our venue hosts memorable wedding weekends featuring fresh, elevated Appalachian farm-to-table menus. We are looking for a hands-on culinary professional who thrives on the line, understands banquet prep and timing, and takes pride in plating exceptional meals—ranging from casual rehearsal feasts and multi-course plated receptions to family-style dinners and farewell brunches.

Key Responsibilities Banquet & Event Meal Execution:

Lead the line and execute high-standard meal services for destination wedding groups, including rehearsal dinners, reception buffets, multi-course plated dinners, and morning brunches.

Prep Production & Station Setup:

Manage advance batch prep, scratch cooking, sauce production, and ingredient staging to ensure seamless execution on event days.

Service Timing & Plating:

Coordinate pass timing and plating consistency alongside kitchen crew and service staff, ensuring food leaves the pass hot, fresh, and beautifully presented.

Dietary Accommodation & Quality Control:

Execute guest-specific modifications accurately, including gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, vegan, and allergen-sensitive plates, without compromising quality.

Kitchen Cleanliness & Food Safety:

Maintain strict sanitation, proper food handling, temperature logging, and walk-in/dry storage organization in full compliance with health department standards.

Prep Station Leadership:

Work alongside and guide assistant prep cooks and seasonal dish/kitchen utility staff during setup, service, and post-event breakdown.

Inventory & Walk-In Organization:

Assist with receiving local farm deliveries, monitoring prep par levels, and minimizing product waste across busy event weekends.

Qualifications & Experience Culinary Experience:

3+ years of professional cooking experience, with at least 1-2 years in high-volume catering, banquet production, or an upscale, fast-paced kitchen.

Banquet & Service Versatility:

Proven confidence executing both high-volume buffet/family-style service and polished plated banquet service.

Technique & Ingredient Knowledge:

Strong knife skills, mastery of core cooking techniques (roasting, braising, grilling, sauce-making), and comfort handling seasonal, scratch-made farm-to-table ingredients.

Composure Under Pressure:

Ability to stay organized, communicative, and calm during high-energy banquet plating windows.

Food Safety Certification:

Valid ServSafe Food Handler certification required (ServSafe Manager preferred).

Schedule & Physical Demands:

Must be available for weekend-heavy event schedules (Thursdays-Sundays during peak wedding season). Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 lbs.

Reliable Transportation:

Personal, dependable transportation is required to commute to our mountain property. Why Sugar Hollow Retreat?

Competitive Pay:

Premium hourly compensation ($25.00 - $35.00/hr) recognizing your culinary skill, event reliability, and line leadership.

Inspiring Work Environment:

Cook in a scenic mountain retreat setting with a focus on fresh, scratch-made food rather than standard corporate banquet fare.

Clear Event Cycles:

Benefit from predictable, event-based service schedules planned well in advance around booked retreats and weddings.

Collaborative Culture:

Work with a close-knit, supportive hospitality team dedicated to delivering unforgettable weekend experiences for our couples and guests. To Apply Please submit your resume and a brief summary of your banquet, catering, or line cooking experience. References or photos of past event dishes are welcomed.

Pay:

$25.00 - $35.00 per hour Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

401(k) Dental insurance Health insurance Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person