Culinary Assistant General Manager - The Cornice - Employee Housing May Be Available

Vail Resorts; Kirkwood (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free employee ski passes

Staff discounts on lodging, food, gear

401(k) Retirement Plan

Employee Assistance Program

Training & professional development

Referral Program

Job summary

Kirkwood Mountain Resort is seeking a driven Culinary Assistant General Manager for The Cornice in Kirkwood, CA. This winter-season leadership role oversees back-of-house operations, ensuring high-quality pizza and bar service, while guiding a team in a fast-paced, guest-focused setting.

The position requires 2–4 years of kitchen management, ServSafe certification (or ability to obtain within 30 days), and experience with inventory, cost control, and online ordering systems. Housing is available.

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of kitchen or culinary management experience (pizzeria or high-volume casual preferred).
• Strong understanding of food safety standards and kitchen best practices.
• Serve Safe Manager Certification (or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire).
• Ability to lead a kitchen team in a fast-paced, guest-centered environment.
• Familiarity with inventory management, ordering, and basic cost control.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day back-of-house kitchen operations, including food prep, quality control, and line execution.
• Ensure presentation, portioning, and standards align with brand and resort expectations.
• Train, schedule, and supervise seasonal culinary staff, providing coaching and support.
• Manage BOH inventory, ordering, and cost controls, including waste reduction and storage.

Skills

Kitchen management

Team leadership

Food safety

Inventory management

Cost control

Education

ServSafe Manager Certification

Tools

Online ordering systems

Job description

Culinary Assistant General Manager - The Cornice - Employee Housing May Be Available

Date: Sep 25, 2026

Location: Kirkwood, CA, US

Company: Kirkwood Mountain Resort

Shift Type: Winter Seasonal 2026/2027

Create Your Experience of a Lifetime!

Come work and play in the mountains! Whether it’s your first-time seeing snow or you were born on the slopes, joining our team means discovering (or re-discovering!) a passion for the outdoors while building lifelong connections with teammates and guests from around the world.

With 40+ resorts across 3 continents, you can join our team for a season or stay to build a career. From day one, you'll receive some of the highest compensation rates in the industry, free pass(es) along with free ski and snowboard lessons, 40% retail discounts, the chance to grow through Epic Service - our leading training and development experience, and wellness benefits to fuel your success.

Hiring for our seasonal positions occurs on a rolling basis. Applications will be accepted until December 15th or until the positions are filled (whichever is first).

Employee Benefits

• Ski/Mountain Perks! Free passes for employees, employee discounted lift tickets for friends and family AND free ski lessons
• MORE employee discounts on lodging, food, gear, and mountain shuttles
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Excellent training and professional development
• Referral Program

The Cornice, Kirkwood’s lively pizzeria and sports bar, is seeking a driven and hands-on Culinary Assistant General Manager (AGM) to oversee back-of-house operations and support the General Manager. This seasonal leadership role is ideal for someone with culinary experience, strong kitchen management skills, and a passion for delivering high-quality food in a fast-paced, guest-focused environment. From pizza prep to managing staff and online orders, you'll ensure kitchen operations run smoothly, safely, and efficiently all winter long.

Located in The Village at Kirkwood Mountain Resort, The Cornice serves up casual counter-service dining, featuring pizza, pub fare, and a full-service bar. Open December through April, The Cornice is a favorite for skiers and staff alike—with Trivia Tuesdays, employee events, and a lively après-ski atmosphere. The kitchen supports in-person orders and online ordering platforms, serving overnight guests daily.

Job Specifications:

• Starting Wage: Starting at $25.00/h
• Employment Type: Winter Seasonal 2026/2027
• Shift Type: Full Timehours available
• Minimum Age: At least 18 years of age
• Housing Availability: Yes

Job Responsibilities:

Back-of-House Operations

• Oversee day-to-day kitchen operations, including food prep, quality control, and line execution.
• Ensure consistency, presentation, and portioning align with brand and resort standards.
• Manage food runner coordination and timing of orders (counter service and online).
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe kitchen environment in compliance with health regulations.

Culinary Team Leadership

• Train, schedule, and supervise seasonal culinary staff including cooks, food runners, and dishwashers.
• Lead by example during high-volume shifts, working alongside the team as needed.
• Provide coaching, feedback, and support to maintain team morale and productivity.
• Support pre-shift meetings and performance reviews in coordination with the GM.

Inventory & Cost Control

• Manage BOH inventory, ordering, and receiving processes for food, paper goods, and kitchen supplies.
• Ensure proper storage, rotation, and labeling of all products.
• Monitor food cost, portion control, and waste reduction strategies.
• Track shift meal usage and identify discrepancies or training needs.
• Communicate closely with FOH team to coordinate ticket flow and guest wait times.
• Assist with special events and weekly Trivia Tuesdays from a culinary operations perspective.
• Support the General Manager with online ordering systems and operational adjustments.

Sustainability & Operational Support

• Support the implementation of Commitment to Zero sustainability and recycling initiatives at the outlet, in coordination with the Resort Sustainability Manager.
• Assist in training staff on Commitment to Zero programs, ensuring understanding of related expectations and providing ongoing feedback.
• Provide hands-on assistance with waste sorting at outlet waste stations when needed.
• Maintain high standards for food preparation, cleanliness, safety, and sanitation in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including regular evaluation of outlet waste systems and diversion programs.

Job Requirements:

• 2–4 years of kitchen or culinary management experience (pizzeria or high-volume casual preferred).
• Strong understanding of food safety standards and kitchen best practices.
• Serve Safe Manager Certification (or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire).
• Ability to lead a kitchen team in a fast-paced, guest-centered environment.
• Familiarity with inventory management, ordering, and basic cost control.
• Must be able to lift 50lbs, stand for long periods, and work in a winter mountain setting.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and snow days as needed.

Preferred Traits

• Passion for food, teamwork, and mountain life.
• Calm under pressure with a proactive, problem-solving mindset.
• Experience in pizza or casual bar food concepts.
• Comfortable working with online ordering systems and tech-savvy kitchen tools.

The expected pay range isStarting at $25.00/h. This is the pay range we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Individual compensation decisions are based on a variety of factors.

In completing this application, and when submitting related documentation, applicants may redact information that identifies their age, date of birth, and/or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

We follow all federal, state, and local laws including restrictions on child/minor labor. Minors hired into this position will not be asked or permitted to engage in any activities restricted to adult workers.

Vail Resorts is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other status protected by applicable law.