Appetizers: 250 job openings at new restaurant called Yard House

That's a shame that Odonata Beer Co. had to shut down, as Chris Macias just reported. Perhaps that piece of bad news for a local beer label can be tempered by some good news: as in, 250 jobs up for grabs.

That's right, when's the last time you saw a story about 250 jobs? But that's how many people Yard House, the Southern California restaurant chain with 30 locations and 4,450 employees nationwide, is planning on hiring at its newest site opening soon at The Fountains, that upscale shopping center across from the Galleria in Roseville.

I was just out there shopping myself, and you can't help but notice that The Fountains has created quite a cluster of restaurants and food-related shops. I have not eaten at a Yard House, but according to a press release I received, it features American fusion cooking (I assume that translates to Mexican, Asian, Italian and whatever else Americans dig). It's also known to have "the world's largest selection of draft beer."

And yes, Yard House needs people to pour that beer, cook that food, serve it with a smile and do the dishes by the time it opens June 26.

So, if you're looking for work or simply a way into the exciting and challenging restaurant business, here's your shot. Applicants must apply in person, Monday to Saturday, at the Yard House Hiring Center at The Fountains.

Here's the address: 1013 Galleria Blvd., Suite 160, Roseville. The center is next to Coldwater Creek. Final day to apply is June 4.

If you're stuck in a dead-end job, Yard House offers some inspiration (as quoted from the company's press release sent to The Bee):

While Yard House may be a stopover for those pursuing a higher education or working towards a career in an unrelated field, it can also result in an unexpected professional calling. Like every college student, Jennifer Morrison needed a job for spending money and took a position with Yard House as a server. Upon graduation, she took an outside sales position with a major firm while continuing to work at Yard House. Her intent was always to quit her "side" job and focus on her "real" job, but instead she ended up quitting her "real" job to concentrate on a career with Yard House. Jennifer is now in charge of the company's extensive employee training program Yard Core, where she serves as the training and development coordinator.

Rudy Buruca started as a sauté cook with the Yard House the first day the company opened its flagship restaurant along the waterfront in Long Beach, California. What began as a job blossomed into a career as Buruca worked his way up the ranks participating in the launch of every single Yard House location. Today he is a partner and the company's vice president of operations.