Culinary Arts

Reynolds Lake Oconee, Georgia, Georgia

Duration

12 Months

Work Type

Culinary Arts

Dates

2026

Wage

$15.00 per hour

Hours

32+ hours per week

Cook Up a Career at Reynolds Lake Oconee

Imagine waking up to mist hovering just above a freshwater lake, birdsong echoing through an oak-covered shoreline, and a world-class culinary stage waiting at your fingertips. That’s Reynolds Lake Oconee—a masterpiece of luxury tucked into the rolling heart of Georgia’s Lake Country.

A place rooted in tradition, Reynolds is a sprawling 14,000-acre sanctuary with serene woodlands, 90 miles of shoreline, seven championship golf courses, and boundless opportunities for recreation and connection. Yet, it’s more than the scenery—it’s the feeling. Here, life is unhurried but always extraordinary. Long-held as a year-round retreat, Reynolds is where families build memories, where nature meets hospitality, and where staff are invited to be a part of the story.

Your Culinary training program is your entry into this legacy. Over 12 months, you’ll taste, serve, create, and learn across the resort’s many culinary venues. You’re not just joining a team—you’re becoming part of a culture defined by Culinary Pride, where celebrating excellence isn’t optional—it’s essential.

If you’re driven by artistry, community, and world-class standards, Reynolds offers the stage; you bring the passion and precision to make your culinary legacy.

Offering world-class golf and resort-style amenities, Reynolds is home to:

• Seven champion golf courses
• 11 on-site dining outlets
• Five marinas, boat storage, and marina store operations
• 21 miles of hiking, biking, and walking trails
• World-class fitness and tennis facilities with instruction venues on site.
• Nine pools
• The Ritz-Carlton, Reynolds Lake Oconee
• The Kingdom at Reynolds Lake Oconee
• Sandy Creek Sporting Grounds
• Nearly 40 Member-operated clubs and groups
• A 19,000 acre freshwater lake offering boating, fishing, and recreational fun

Program Highlights

What You’ll Do on the Program

Your internship with Reynolds Lake Oconee will consist of following a uniquely curated training plan exposing you to all areas of culinary operations. This property features  11 different speciality restaurants ranging from poolside dining to luxury dining options.

Culinary Rotations

Your uniquely curated training plan includes structured rotations to build skills and confidence:

  • Orientation
  • Banquets & Events
  • A trio of restaurant stations with both hot and cold kitchen exposures

Pay Rate: $15.00/hour

Minimum Hours: 32 per week

A Taste of Reynolds… 
With 11 distinctive, on-site restaurants, Reynolds Lake Oconee holds high standards of culinary execution with the intent to consistently exceed the expectations of our Members, guests, and teammates. You will become a part of a culture of excellence and “Culinary Pride” when you join our team.

As a part of the Food & Beverage team, you will:

  • Exceed the expectations of our Members, guests, and teammates.
  • Under-promise and over-deliver. Always.
  • Be a guardian and disciple of our standards.
  • Always ensure consistency in preparation and service
  • Have zero tolerance for anything less than the established standards.
  • Be an effective communicator.
  • Be passionate about all you do.
  • Learn constantly and share your knowledge with others.
  • Become an excellent cook and professional culinarian.

Culinary locations:

  • Eighty8 Kitchen + Cocktails
  • The National Tavern
  • The Landing
  • The Creek Club
  • The Overlook at Great Waters
  • Richard Pointe Restaurant

The culinary team at Reynolds Lake Oconee plays a vital role in Club events and banquets across property. You will have the opportunity to learn, grow, and use your skills in each of these settings:

  • Special Events
  • Wine Tastings
  • Catering and Banquets

Participants on this program will be required to obtain a J-1 Intern or Trainee visa through Yummy Jobs and will be able to train for a period of time as outlined by the Reynolds Lake Oconee Upon completion of the program, participants will have up to 30 days to travel within the United States. Participants must then return to their home country upon completion of the program.

Meet The Chefs
Brenton Nelson
Executive Chef at Richland Pointe
Chef Nelson brings passion and skill to the kitchens of Reynolds Lake Oconee. He supervises and trains staff on all recipes to meet high standards of consistency and makes the schedule for daily operations along with ordering produce, filing equipment-coding invoices, and organizing the workplace with a special focus on cleanliness.
Brenton Nelson is from Sandy Bay, Jamaica, where he was awarded the Gold Metal Jamaica Culinary Development for best use of chicken. Chef Nelson has worked in the culinary division at several Ritz-Carlton locations, including Rose Hall, Jamaica; Miami, Florida; Sarasota, Florida; and Greensboro, Georgia, on-site at Reynolds Lake Oconee. In 2011, he received the designation of Certified Hospitality Professional from the American Hospitality Training Institution.

Chef Craig
Chef de Cuisine at Great Waters Overlook
Chef Elwood brings a wide breadth of knowledge to his position as Chef de Cuisine at Great Waters Overlook, where he has served since 2015. In this position, he is responsible for meeting food and labor cost percentage while training and mentoring personnel and maintaining inventory.
Throughout his 30 years in the culinary field, Craig Elwood has worked in every aspect of running a restaurant from dishwasher to restaurant owner. Chef Elwood got his start in the industry in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware where he received a Certification in Culinary Arts in high school. He then went on to earn an Associate’s in Culinary Arts and a Bachelor’s in Hotel Restaurant Management from Johnson and Wales University. Chef Elwood was Chef de Cuisine and an eventual partner at II Pescatore in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, where he was awarded 3.5/4 stars in The Post and Courier’s restaurant review. Chef Elwood has also worked as a Sous Chef for Marriott Renaissance and a Restaurant Manager for CentraArchy Restaurant Management Group.
Property Information
The Reynolds Story
Dating back 100 years as a family retreat along the shores of the Oconee River, this land was quickly recognized as a destination of uncommon character by early visitors. The striking beauty of both the river and the Oconee forest created a natural haven that felt like a world apart, providing a lifestyle with an informal cadence all its own. Many quickly decided to “linger longer,” turning one- or two-day visits into three-, four- or five-day family excursions.
Here, at Reynolds Lake Oconee, you’ll discover a lifestyle with a cadence all its own. Our community of character is composed of passionate individuals, all of whom have been drawn to an active life, well-lived. So, no matter what brings you here, once you find your own path to the brilliant lakeshore and lush forests of Reynolds Lake Oconee, you’ll soon understand how our Members and guests enjoy once-in-a-lifetime experiences, every day.
“We call Reynolds our escape. It’s a place where we leave the non-stop activity of our current life and everything slows down a notch.”
Housing

Stay comfortable, connected, and community-ready:

  • Furnished shared housing in homes or apartments
  • $125/week, payroll-deducted, with utilities included
  • Plus: Complimentary transportation to and from your work location
  • Subject to change

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