Guest Ranch Head Cook (Contract)

Posted 9/5/24

Location: Sundance Trail Guest Ranch, Colorado
Compensation: Competitive pay + tips (room & board included)
Potential for Full-Time, Year-Round Role

Sundance Trail Guest Ranch is looking for a talented and dedicated Head Cook to join our kitchen team on contract basis, with the potential for a full-time, year-round role. If you love cooking hearty meals, working in a vibrant ranch setting, and engaging with guests, this could be the perfect opportunity for you!

Key Responsibilities:

• Meal Preparation:
  Create hearty, western-style meals for around 35 people daily, including 20-25 guests and 5-10 staff members. Meals are served family-style in the dining room, on the porch, at picnic tables, or even out on the trail.

• Baking:
  Bake delicious desserts and cookies in large quantities to delight our guests with homemade treats.

• Special Diets:
  Prepare therapeutic and special diets as needed, with guidance from management.

• Inventory Management:
  Manage the kitchen’s food and supplies inventory, ensuring the pantry is well-stocked. Handle grocery shopping as required.

• Compliance & Safety:
  Ensure the kitchen meets all Health Department Safety Standards and regulations, maintaining a safe and sanitary environment.

• Kitchen Maintenance:
  Keep the kitchen spotless, taking care of dishes, pots, and pans, and ensuring the workspace is organized and clean.

• Ranch Support:
  Occasionally assist with other ranch activities, such as helping children collect eggs from the henhouse or supporting wranglers, maintenance staff, and managers. Light housekeeping duties may also be required from time to time, all to help create an unforgettable guest experience.

• Guest Engagement:
  Help foster a welcoming atmosphere by engaging guests with stories and humor, contributing to the warm and lively ranch environment.

Qualifications:

• Culinary Experience: Proven experience as a cook or chef, ideally in a similar environment with a focus on hearty, western-style cooking.

• Baking Skills: Strong ability to bake large quantities of desserts and cookies.

• Special Diet Knowledge: Familiarity with preparing therapeutic or special diets is a plus.

• Health & Safety Compliance: Knowledge of Health Department Safety Standards and kitchen safety regulations.

• Organizational Skills: Ability to manage inventories, maintain a clean kitchen, and keep operations running smoothly.

• Team Player: Willingness to assist with various tasks across the ranch as needed, working collaboratively with staff.

• Personality: Friendly, with strong communication skills and a good sense of humor to engage with both staff and guests.

Perks:

• Room & Board: Enjoy on-site accommodation and meals at the ranch.
• Tips: Earn additional income through tips based on guest satisfaction.
• Promotion Opportunity: Potential for full-time, year-round employment based on performance.

If you’re passionate about cooking, love the outdoors, and want to contribute to a memorable guest experience at a Colorado dude ranch, we’d love to hear from you!

How to Apply: Please complete our online job application and submit your resume along with a brief cover letter outlining your culinary experience and why you’d be a great fit for this role.