Get to Know Heather, Our Food & Beverage Manager

Name: Heather B.
Title: Food & Beverage Manager

What does your title mean you do at Wilderness at the Smokies?
I oversee Firefly, our unique indoor/outdoor restaurant with a Southern flair. I also manage all food and beverage operations at Lake Wilderness, which includes two bars—one featuring quick-service food—a taco truck called Tacolicious, and 23 outdoor cabanas.

What’s the best part of your job?
Hands down—my team!

How long have you worked at Wilderness at the Smokies, and in what roles?
I started in 2017 as a server at Thirsty Miner. In the summer of 2018, I moved into the outlets as a bartender and quickly advanced to Supervisor. In 2019, I became Assistant Manager of the outlets. In 2020, I helped launch Soaky Mountain Waterpark, our sister property across the street, as the Food & Beverage Manager and was promoted to Senior F&B Manager in 2022. I briefly left to explore another opportunity but soon returned as Assistant Manager overseeing the Deli, Firefly, Candy Cabin, and Yukon Yogurt. I’m now proud to lead Firefly and all food and beverage services at Lake Wilderness.

Favorite wet attraction at the Wilderness?
Cataloochee Creek Adventure River in Lake Wilderness

Favorite dry attraction at the Wilderness?
Adventure Forest’s Mega Arcade

Favorite food venue at Wilderness?
The Firefly—of course!

Favorite thing to eat at Wilderness?
Chicken Caesar Salad

Your best piece of advice for first-time guests?
Try everything! Don’t leave wishing you had given something a shot—you won’t regret it!

Now for some fun stuff:

Favorite toy when you were a kid?
Raggedy Ann doll

All-time favorite movie?
The Shining

All-time favorite TV series?
Golden Girls

Favorite ice cream flavor?
Spumoni

What toppings do you like on your pizza?
Pineapple