Founding Team Server

Haven • Blowing Rock, NC

18d • Onsite

About The Position

Haven is a chef-driven restaurant opening in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, and is seeking founding front-of-house team members. Backed by Chetola Resort, Haven offers the excitement of a new restaurant with the stability of an established hospitality destination. This role is more than a typical server position; it's an opportunity to join before opening, help shape service standards, guest experience, culture, and identity from the ground up. The restaurant will feature Appalachian cuisine with a focus on hyper-seasonal ingredients, showcasing small plates and tasting menus inspired by global culinary traditions and modern techniques. Haven seeks servers who believe exceptional hospitality involves understanding the story behind the food and creating a polished, yet genuine, guest experience. Curiosity, warmth, humility, attention to detail, and a desire to grow are essential.

Requirements

• Previous serving experience in a full-service restaurant environment
• Genuine warmth and a natural desire to take care of people
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• The ability to read a table and adapt your service style to different guests and occasions
• Curiosity about food, beverage, ingredients, seasonality, and culinary technique
• The ability to learn and confidently communicate detailed menu knowledge
• Strong organization and the ability to remain composed under pressure
• Attention to detail and pride in polished execution
• A collaborative mindset and respect for both front- and back-of-house teammates
• Reliability, accountability, and a strong work ethic
• Comfort receiving feedback and a genuine desire to improve
• People who care deeply about hospitality, support their teammates, and want to help build a great restaurant culture from day one

Nice To Haves

• Experience in fine dining, tasting menu, farm-to-table, wine-focused, or other chef-driven restaurants

Responsibilities

• Create warm, genuine, and memorable guest experiences from arrival through departure
• Guide guests confidently through a small plates and tasting menu experience
• Develop deep knowledge of the menu, ingredients, sourcing, preparation methods, and the stories behind the dishes
• Explain unfamiliar ingredients and techniques in a way that is engaging, approachable, and never pretentious
• Make thoughtful recommendations based on guest preferences, dietary needs, and the flow of the dining experience
• Develop strong knowledge of wine, beer, spirits, cocktails, and non-alcoholic offerings
• Communicate clearly and collaborate closely with culinary, bar, host, and support teams
• Anticipate guest needs and maintain awareness of pacing, timing, and table dynamics
• Execute service with accuracy, urgency, attention to detail, and care
• Maintain clean, organized, and professional dining and service areas
• Participate in pre-opening training, menu tastings, mock services, and ongoing education
• Provide thoughtful feedback as service systems, standards, and procedures are developed and refined
• Uphold the highest standards of hospitality, professionalism, food safety, and responsible alcohol service

Benefits

• Opportunities for advancement as the restaurant grows
• In-depth menu, ingredient, and beverage education
• Access to exceptional local and regional products and producers
• A professional restaurant environment focused on hospitality, learning, excellence, and teamwork
• Meaningful input into the systems, standards, and culture we build together
• Ongoing opportunities to deepen your knowledge of food, wine, spirits, and hospitality
• Scheduling practices designed to support work-life balance whenever operationally possible
• The opportunity to be part of a new restaurant from the very beginning

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed