Sous Chef – Crawford, CO.

About the Role:

As Sous Chef, you’ll work alongside our Head Chef to create inspired, seasonal menus that highlight the best of our region. From intimate fine dining to immersive outdoor culinary experiences, you’ll have the opportunity to craft exceptional dishes that showcase the flavors of the valley. If you are passionate about farm-to-table cuisine, creative menu development, and leading a high-caliber kitchen team, we invite you to bring your talents to Smith Fork Ranch.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Assist the Head Chef in leading and managing daily kitchen operations to ensure a seamless and efficient workflow.
• Supervise food preparation and cooking, maintaining high standards of quality, consistency, and presentation.
• Train, mentor, and inspire kitchen staff, fostering a positive and professional work environment.
• Oversee inventory management, ensuring proper stock levels, minimizing food waste, and maintaining cost efficiency.
• Uphold and enforce food safety standards, sanitation practices, and overall kitchen cleanliness.
• Collaborate with the Head Chef on menu execution and development, contributing innovative ideas for seasonal and special event menus.
• Step in as acting Head Chef when needed, ensuring smooth kitchen operations in their absence.
• Work closely with the front-of-house team to ensure seamless service and an elevated guest experience.
• Engage with guests when appropriate, enhancing their dining experience by sharing culinary insights and personal touches.
• Adapt dishes to accommodate dietary requests and preferences, ensuring inclusivity and personalization.
• Assist in managing food and labor costs, maintaining efficiency without compromising quality.

Qualifications and Skills:

• 3–5 years of experience as a Sous Chef or in a similar leadership role within a high-end restaurant, resort, or guest ranch.
• Strong culinary expertise, including mastery of diverse cooking techniques, ingredient sourcing, and plating aesthetics.
• Proven ability to execute and oversee food preparation with precision, ensuring consistency in every dish.
• Experience in leading kitchen teams, mentoring junior cooks, and fostering a collaborative and efficient work culture.
• Solid understanding of food safety regulations, sanitation practices, and kitchen organization.
• Ability to work closely with the Head Chef, executing existing menus while contributing creative ideas for new dishes.
• Strong problem-solving skills and adaptability to handle unexpected kitchen challenges.
• Experience in inventory management, cost control, and minimizing food waste.
• Passion for hospitality and guest experience, ensuring that every meal enhances the overall luxury ranch experience.
• Ability to remain calm and lead effectively under pressure during busy service periods.

Work Requirements:

• Ability to walk, kneel, reach, and stand for long periods.
• Ability to regularly lift and relocate up to 50 pounds, and frequently lift and relocate up to 10 pounds.
• Ability to safely work in extreme temperatures, including walk-in refrigerators/freezers and kitchen lines.
• Ability to read and understand recipes.

Please note that this job description may not cover all the tasks and duties associated with this role. In the spirit of teamwork and adaptability, you will be called upon to contribute to various aspects of our property operations as directed by the General Manager. Successful candidates will be willing to work nights, weekends and holidays. Interested candidates are invited to submit a brief introduction about themselves, along with their resume.

Ability to Commute/Relocate: Crawford, CO 81415: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required) – Housing Negotiable.