Join Ithaka Hospitality Partners on their journey as we grow and seek talented individuals to join our team. We are looking for a General Manager to join our leadership team in Auburn, AL, overseeing 1856 - Culinary Residence, A Teaching Restaurant.

About 1856 - Culinary Residence: 1856 - Culinary Residence is a luxury teaching restaurant, named after the year of Auburn University's founding, anchoring the first floor of the Tony & Libba Rane Culinary Science Center. Students in the Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management at Auburn University work under the guidance of a Chef in Residence to prepare and serve an à la carte lunch menu and multi-course tasting menu format during dinner service. It is very important that all selected team members understand that our primary mission is to provide a first-class learning experience to AU students.

Each year, an acclaimed chef works alongside our Ithaka Hospitality Partners team as well as Auburn University faculty and staff to create a unique restaurant concept, providing a one-of-a-kind, ever-changing culinary experience for students and restaurant guests alike.

Our current Chef in Residence, Joel Antunes, has earned Michelin Stars in London and won "Best Chef, Southeast" for his restaurant, Joel, in Atlanta and most recently was the Chef in Residence for Forbes Travel Guide. Our Master Sommelier in Residence is Thomas Price, one of only 279 Master Sommeliers in the world.

1856 - Culinary Residence has recently been recognized below:

• Recognized as part of The Laurel Hotel & Spa as the only Five Diamond property in the state of Alabama.
• Named by Southern Living in March 2024 as "The Best New Restaurant in Alabama."
• Featured in Soul Grown as The Restaurant "Nurturing The Next Generation of Top Culinary Experts."
• Recognized by Wine Spectator with The Best of Award of Excellence.
• Featured in Forbes Magazine in April 2023 in the article "Tour Alabama like a billionaire with some of Jimmy Rane's Favorite Spots."
• Featured in Forbes Magazine in March 2023 as "The South's best new Luxury Hotel and Restaurant also trains the next generation in Hospitality."
• Featured in Garden & Gun in 2024 as "The Future of Hospitality lives at Auburn University's 1856 - Culinary Residence."
• Featured in Travel + Leisure in "Hotels and Restaurants to Book for a Trip to Alabama."

Key Responsibilities:

• Operational Oversight: Direct and organize the day-to-day operations of the restaurant to ensure world-class education and service, food and beverage offerings, and to maximize student and guest satisfaction.
• Guest Satisfaction: Intimate knowledge of Forbes Five (5) Star Standards of Service and able to train team members to deliver daily.
• Student Satisfaction: Ability to connect and relate to students through their various levels of restaurant experience and train and develop them through Forbes Five Star Standards.
• Training & Development: Ability to grow students and commercial staff on a daily basis.
• Financial Management: Work closely with leadership for 30, 60, and 90-day forecast plans, in addition to annual budgeting.
• Menu Development: Administer verbal and written testing to FOH team and students of menu items in coordination with Chef in Residence and Director of Culinary Innovations.
• Quality Assurance: Maintain department records for all employees to be in accordance with Ithaka Hospitality Partners standards and regulations.
• Education: Plan and administer reviews and evaluate the work of FOH team in coordination with Chef in Residence and Director of Culinary Innovations.
• Flexibility: Team members must have a flexible work schedule and ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Software Knowledge: Develops and oversees service team members and student schedules using ADP; ability to learn and use ADACO for purchasing, receiving, and inventory.

Qualifications:

• Five (5) or more years' experience in restaurant service position with three (3) or more of these years having been in a supervisory role.
• At least one (1) year leading a wine program or experience with The Court of Master Sommeliers certified level or similar, preferred.
• Experience in a tasting menu or high-end, fine dining restaurant required.
• Bachelor's Degree in Hospitality or related subject matter required.
• Minimum twenty-one (21) years of age to serve alcoholic beverages.
• Background in both FOH and Culinary preferred.
• Understands and maintains a complete knowledge of all menus, all ingredients, and all techniques.

Working Conditions:

• Must be able to work on your feet for long periods of time.
• Fast-paced movements are required to go from one part of the restaurant to another.
• Must be able to move, pull, carry, or lift at least 35 pounds.
• Occasionally kneel, bend, crouch, and climb as required.
• Must be able to stand, walk, lift, bend, and climb stairs for long periods of time.
• Must be able to bend, stoop, lift, reach, push, twist, walk, crouch, and squat.

We are a group of individuals who believe that the

• Flexible work schedule.
• Opportunity to work with acclaimed chefs and Master Sommeliers.
• Engagement with students in a teaching environment.
• Professional development and training opportunities.

• Five (5) or more years' experience in restaurant service, with three (3) years in a supervisory role.
• Experience leading a wine program or certification from The Court of Master Sommeliers preferred.
• Experience in a tasting menu or high-end, fine dining restaurant.
• Bachelor's Degree in Hospitality or related field.
• Background in both Front of House (FOH) and Culinary preferred.
• Ability to connect with and train students.
• Knowledge of service standards and procedures for tasting menu experiences.