Cafe Manager at Treska's
The Heart of the Role:
At Treska’s, we believe that a meal is more than just fuel—it is an opportunity for connection, reflection, and community. We are looking for a vibrant and organized Café Manager who understands that hospitality is an art form. You will be the steward of our "soft-landing spot," ensuring that every guest who walks through our doors feels seen, nourished, and inspired.
The Cove campus includes a small café and coffee shop, gathering and event spaces, co-working areas,
educational programs, and a regenerative community internship program. The café adjoins the Cove
gardens and overlooks the lake, serving garden-inspired meals and functioning as a welcoming hub for
retreat guests, program participants, interns, and members of the surrounding community.
We are seeking a Café Manager to oversee daily café operations while serving as a mentor and manager
within our internship-supported staffing model. This is a hands-on leadership role focused on
hospitality, people development, and dependable day-to-day operations.
Our Experience & Growth Culture
The first phase of the Highland Lake Village master plan was the adjacent Highland Lake Inn and Resort,
including what became one of the earliest garden-to-table restaurants in Western North Carolina. We
developed and operated that hospitality project for 14 years, growing to approximately 75 employees,
earning multiple local and national awards, and ultimately selling the business in 2000.
Following the initial renovation period, the operation experienced average annual growth of
approximately 25% for 11 consecutive years.
That experience continues to inform how we operate today:
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Strong, practical operational systems
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High service and hospitality standards
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A long-standing commitment to promoting from within
This role offers meaningful career-building opportunities for someone interested in growing with a
long-established, values-driven organization. Our Internship & Staffing Model HLC hosts a regenerative community internship program where seasonal interns rotate through multiple on-site work areas, including:
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The café
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Market gardens
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Tiny home construction
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Fabrication shop
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Retreat and event support
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Yoga studio
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Monthly festivals and concert series
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Supper club gatherings and dinner salons focused on helping people make new friends
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Farmers and artisan markets
The Café Manager plays a key role in this system by:
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Managing café operations on a daily basis
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Mentoring and supervising interns working in the café
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Coordinating staffing schedules with other department leads
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Leveraging a cross-trained staffing model to support consistent service, reduce turnover, and ensure adequate café coverage during peak periods or unexpected absences
Key Responsibilities
Café Operations
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Manage daily breakfast and lunch service, as well as event-based supper club offerings
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Ensure food quality, cleanliness, and service standards
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Oversee opening and closing procedures
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Maintain compliance with health and food safety regulations
Team Leadership & Mentorship
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Assist with interviewing and hiring the start-up café team
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Lead, train, and support café staff and interns. Provide clear guidance and steady leadership during service
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Foster a respectful, accountable team culture
Guest Experience
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Create a welcoming, community-oriented atmosphere
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Respond thoughtfully and professionally to guest feedback
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Maintain consistent hospitality standards
Inventory & Systems
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Manage ordering, inventory, and vendor relationships
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Monitor food costs and minimize waste
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Maintain clear, reliable operational systems
Cross-Department Coordination
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Coordinate café staffing with garden, construction, fabrication, retreat, and events teams
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Adjust staffing quickly during high-volume periods or staff absences
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Communicate clearly and proactively with other department managers