F&B Cook
General information
Job duties
- Prepares, arranges and continually rotates food accordingly, first in, first out, including preparations and food presentations, ensuring adherence to Health Department policies and procedures
- Cleans and maintains kitchen as directed by management, in conjunction with Health Department policies and procedures
- Reports and documents any observed or known safety hazards, conditions, or unsafe practices and procedures to management immediately
- Stores and handles food properly, following Health Department requirements
- Grills, cooks and fries food
- Plans orders to ensure all items of an order are finished at the same time where possible
- Adheres to Wilderness at the Smokies standards for guest service
- Refers guest problems or complaints to supervisor according to Wilderness at the Smokies guest problem resolution 'Trail Guide'
- Trains associates properly as directed by management
- Performs proper rotations, day dotting, organization and putting truck away
- Performs all other duties as assigned by management
Housing
Details
Trade Your Lecture Hall for a Professional Kitchen in the Smoky Mountains
Imagine starting your morning with the misty peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains outside your window and ending your day floating down a lazy river at America’s largest indoor water park resort. As an F&B Cook at Wilderness At The Smokies in Sevierville, Tennessee, that’s not a daydream — that’s your Work & Travel USA summer.
This is your chance to earn $15 per hour across 35 hours per week, build real culinary skills in a fast-paced American kitchen, and make friends from every corner of the world.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Preparing and cooking a variety of menu items — burgers, pizzas, breakfast classics, appetizers and daily specials
- Working the grill, fryer, sauté and prep stations alongside an experienced kitchen team
- Following recipes, portion standards and presentation guidelines to keep quality consistent
- Prepping ingredients: chopping, marinating, portioning and stocking stations before service
- Maintaining strict food safety, sanitation and HACCP standards
- Keeping your station, equipment and walk-in coolers clean and organized
- Communicating with servers and supervisors to keep tickets moving during peak rushes
About Wilderness At The Smokies
Wilderness At The Smokies is Tennessee’s largest water park resort, welcoming families from across the country year-round. With multiple restaurants, cafés and food outlets on site, it’s a high-energy environment where you’ll gain genuine hospitality experience that looks fantastic on any CV — especially for students studying tourism, culinary arts, hospitality or business.
Benefits
- Competitive $15/hour wage with reliable weekly hours
- Possibility of overtime during the busy resort season
- Hands-on training in a professional American kitchen
- Employee perks and access to resort amenities (as per employer policy)
- A vibrant international team — meet students from dozens of countries
- An unbeatable location for outdoor adventure and weekend travel
What We’re Looking For
- University students aged 18–25 eligible for the J-1 Work & Travel USA program
- Conversational English — enough to follow instructions and communicate with your team
- Previous kitchen or food-prep experience is a strong plus (but a great attitude matters more)
- Ability to stand for long shifts, lift up to 20 kg and work in a hot, fast-paced kitchen
- Reliability, punctuality and a genuine team-player mindset
- Flexibility to work mornings, evenings, weekends and holidays
Ready to Cook Up the Best Summer of Your Life?
Spots at popular Smoky Mountain resorts fill up fast. Apply today for the F&B Cook position at Wilderness At The Smokies and start your American adventure — mountains, water parks, new friends and real work experience included.
Why choose Wilderness At The Smokies
Why Sevierville, Tennessee?
Sevierville sits at the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited national park in the United States. You’ll be minutes away from Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg — a legendary strip of theme parks, mini-golf, live music, pancake houses and the famous Dollywood.
On your days off, hike to waterfalls, swim in mountain rivers, ride the SkyLift, or explore hidden trails with your new international friends. Nashville, Knoxville, Asheville and Atlanta are all within easy road-trip distance — perfect for weekend adventures and your post-program travel month.
About Tennessee
Tennessee's Smoky Mountains and towns like Gatlinburg buzz with resorts, music and attractions. Students work in mountain resorts, hotels and restaurants in one of the South's most popular getaways.
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