Program Summary

YUMMY HAVE TEAMED UP WITH OMNI GROVE PARK INN TO OFFER OUTSTANDING TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES WITH THIS LUXURY HISTORIC HOTEL

Serving guests for over a century, The Omni Grove Park Inn offers a tradition of southern hospitality amidst the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. With four locally-sourced restaurants and stylish 5 star hotel rooms with stunning views and plush bedding, this is a highly acclaimed property where Culinary and Pastry Interns can gain exceptional training.

Omni Hotels and Resorts creates genuine, authentic guest experiences at 60 distinctive luxury hotels and resorts in leading business gateways and leisure destinations across North America. Omni Hotels is a founding partner in the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA).

Let Yummy Jobs take you on an amazing adventure to Asheville ... #MYYUMMYSTORY

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Asheville, NC is recognized as having one of the strongest most innovative culinary scenes in the country. At the Omni Grove Park Inn, you will find some of the finest, locally-sourced restaurants in town that attracts the finest culinary talent from across the USA. If you are keen to experience how to produce farm to table cooking at its finest, this is the place to learn!

During a Culinary Internship with Omni Grove Park Inn, you will have the opportunity to rotate around a multitude of disciplines with on-the-job exposure in the following rotations:

Grill Station/Hot Line
Pastry Operations
Garde Manager
Pastry and Chocolate
Live Stations

Program participants will earn $17.00 USD per hour and will be scheduled a minimum of 32 hours work per week.

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 Omni Grove Park inn. 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

WILLIAM BIERLEIN

EXECUTIVE CHEF

Born in Pontiac Michigan, Chef Bierlein grew up with 5 other siblings. At the age of 12 his family moved to Las Vegas where his parents opened Sunrise Café to showcase the original chef in the family, his father. At the age of 18, Chef Bierlein began with Steve Wynn during the opening of the Mirage Resort and Hotel Casino, his first opportunity to work in a 5 star resort. From a cook’s helper in 1990 to Executive Chef of The Omni Grove Park Inn today, Chef Bierlein has worked diligently over the past 23 years to advance his career. Having worked with many great chefs, Chef Bierlein recalls the moment when he was handpicked by David Kallaway, a Certified Master Chef, and how it was the opportunity for his career to step to the next level. Chef takes his inspiration from a French mentor who always said to him, “You will only be as good as your tastes buds will take you. Try everything.” Chef Bierlein joined the culinary team at The Omni Grove Park Inn as the Chef de Cuisine of Banquets in the fall of 2013, rose to Executive Sous Chef in spring of 2014 and was promoted into his new role as Executive Chef in 2015.

JOHN COOK

EXECUTIVE PASTRY CHEF

In his role as Executive Pastry Chef, John Cook leads a pastry team fashioning sweet, tasty and beautiful creations for The Inn’s 8 restaurants and lounges, as well as in-room dining and banqueting operations.

Cook arrived at the historic Inn from Norman Love Confections in Fort Myers, Fl., where he rose from entry-level cook to production manager of the chocolate factory and ultimately executive pastry chef over a span of 13 years. He also spent a decade teaching chocolate, pastry and baking classes at the company. Previously, Cook was a pastry cook at two Ritz-Carlton Resorts in Naples and West Palm Beach, Fla.

Born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, F.L., Cook earned degrees in culinary arts and international baking and pastries from Florida Culinary Institute in West Palm Beach. He graduated from advanced chocolate and sugar courses offered by renowned Pastry Chef Ewald Notter, and studied at the Cocoa-Barry School of Chocolate in Montreal. In addition, Cook was recognized as Pastry Chef of the Year at the U.S. Pastry Competition in 2017.

WILLIAM CHRISTOPHER HEATH (CHRIS HEATH)

EXECUTIVE CHEF

Newly appointed Executive Chef of The Omni Grove Park Inn, Miami, William “Chris” Heath, is a passionate individual with over 30 years of experience in the culinary industry.

A graduate of Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Orlando, Florida, Chris was a model student and voted president of the college senate. At the same time, he began working as a sous chef at Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion Restaurant, where he assisted with menu planning and daily specials, maintained multiple stations, and gained hands-on business experience that would later prove invaluable in his professional career.

In 2009, Heath was named the Executive Chef of the Tampa Bay Brewing Co., featured on Food Network’s reality television series Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. He oversaw and developed a staff of 22 employees, created daily and weekly features utilizing hand-crafted beers, ciders and spent grains, and managed all kitchen and food operations. After moving to Georgia, he accepted a position as Chef de Cuisine for Gaby’s by the Lake at The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee, a luxury resort with 251 rooms and 1,000 guests daily. There, he designed and developed innovative menus every week and mentored a team of 15 professionals. After two years in that role, he transitioned to the Chef de Cuisine of Linger Longer Steakhouse, where he maintained a top ranking for Ritz Carlton restaurants, then took over the culinary banquet operations for the property, also maintaining the highest food quality scores.

Promoted to The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami Executive Chef, Chris oversees all culinary operations for 490 rooms and 120 employees. Overseeing not only culinary operations, but also managing the stewarding department and purchasing. He has made it his mission to provide service that surpasses expectations for the last five years.

Chris and his family moved to Asheville, North Carolina, and he is now the Executive Chef for the Omni Grove Park Inn, where he continues to drive for culinary excellence.

HOUSING

Housing for this program is provided by the Omni Grove, you will be housed as well as sharing a room with fellow program participants in a fully furnished house or apartment complex.

Housing is payroll deducted at a rate of $100.00 USD per week inclusive of all utilities*.

*subject to change

ELIGIBILITY

APPLICATION PROCESS

INTERVIEW PROCESS

Applicants will be required to attend a pre-screen interview via video call with a member of the Yummy Jobs Team in order to be considered.
If successful, applicants will be required to attend a final interview with the Omni Grove HR Team via video call