Executive Chef

Snow King Mountain Resort Llc; Jackson (WY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Paid time off

Employee housing offered

Winter ski season pass

Online pro deal access

Job summary

Snow King Mountain Resort Llc in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, seeks an Executive Chef to lead culinary operations for Aurora Restaurant and Summit Building banquets, weddings, and events year-round.

You will develop seasonal menus, manage food and labor costs, and mentor a diverse kitchen team while ensuring exceptional guest experiences in a luxury resort setting.

Strong leadership, ServSafe compliance, and ability to operate across multiple outlets are essential to success.

Qualifications

• Experience leading high-end banquet and wedding operations for 100+ guests.
• Proven executive chef/head chef experience in fine dining, luxury hotel, resort, or premier venue.
• ServSafe certification required (Manager preferred).
• BS degree in culinary arts or equivalent work experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead Aurora Restaurant and Banquets with seasonal menu development and event catering.
• Plan and execute menus for weddings, banquets, corporate events, and private celebrations from tasting to service.
• Oversee secondary outlets (Cafe, Kings Grill, Coffee Shop) for quality and efficiency.
• Manage food cost, labor cost, and culinary budget; build annual budget and monitor variances.
• Recruit, hire, and mentor kitchen staff; foster positive kitchen culture.

Skills

Leadership

Menu development

Budgeting

Staff recruitment

Communication

Education

BS in culinary arts or related field

Job description

About Snow KingSnow King Mountain Resort is the iconic mountain resort located in the heart of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, just blocks from Town Square. As a year-round destination, Snow King is home to skiing, the Summit Gondola, summer attractions, concerts, and a growing calendar of events. The summit of the mountain is home to the Summit Building, which offers sweeping views of the Teton Range, the National Elk Refuge, and the town of Jackson below. Few venues in the country combine this setting with immediate access to a vibrant mountain town.Aurora Restaurant and Summit EventsAurora (www.skaurora.com) is Snow King's signature summit restaurant and the centerpiece of the food and beverage program. Guests ride the gondola to a first-class dining room and kitchen where the menu, service, and setting are expected to match the view. Aurora has the potential to earn national and international recognition based on its location, design, scenery, and, ultimately, the quality of the food and service delivered.The Summit Building is also one of the most sought-after banquet and wedding venues in the region. Snow King hosts high-end weddings, rehearsal dinners, corporate retreats, galas, and private celebrations at the top of the mountain throughout the year. These events are a defining part of the Snow King experience; each one should be flawless, memorable, and worthy of the setting. The Executive Chef will lead the culinary vision that makes Aurora and summit banquets a premier destination in Jackson Hole.Job DescriptionThe Executive Chef will lead all culinary operations at Snow King Mountain, with primary focus on Aurora Restaurant and the banquet, wedding, and special event program at the Summit Building. The Executive Chef will also oversee the secondary outlets on the mountain, including the Cafe, Kings Grill, and Coffee Shop, ensuring consistent quality and efficient operations across all locations. This individual is responsible for menu development, kitchen leadership, financial performance, and building a team that wants to stay and grow with Snow King. Top candidates are creative, service-oriented, level headed, financially disciplined, and experienced at recruiting and retaining staff in a challenging labor market.Responsibilities (not limited to):Aurora Restaurant and Banquets (Primary Focus)Develop and execute a refined, seasonal menu for Aurora that delivers a destination dining experience worthy of national recognitionLead culinary planning and execution for high-end weddings, banquets, corporate events, and private celebrations, from tasting menus and client consultations through flawless day-of servicePartner with the sales and events team to create custom banquet menus, pricing, and event packages that exceed client expectationsMaintain consistent plating, presentation, and service standards for both a la carte dining and large-format eventsCoordinate summit logistics, including gondola transport of product and staff, so that events run on time regardless of volume or weatherObtain guest and client feedback on food and service quality and use it to continually improve the experienceFinancial PerformanceManage food cost to budgeted targets through menu engineering, recipe costing, portion control, purchasing, and waste reductionManage labor cost to budgeted targets through effective scheduling, cross-training, and staffing levels matched to business volume and event calendarsBuild and manage the annual culinary budget in partnership with F&B leadership; track results weekly and take corrective action when costs move off targetNegotiate with vendors and manage purchasing, inventory, and month-end counts with accuracyPrice banquet and catering menus to achieve target margins while remaining competitive in the Jackson Hole marketPeople and CultureCreate a positive, respectful, and professional kitchen culture that attracts quality employees and keeps them returning season after seasonRecruit, hire, and onboard kitchen staff, including seasonal and international team members, and ensure staffing levels meet service, operational, and financial objectivesTrain and mentor cooks and kitchen staff on recipes, techniques, equipment, and standards; develop clear paths for advancement from within; recognize strong performance and address issues early and fairlyWork in coordination with front of house, events, operations, and other departments to deliver a seamless guest experienceKitchen Operations and Food SafetyManage and coordinate activities of both cooks and non-cooking kitchen workers as well as maintenance of premises and equipmentMaintain in-depth knowledge of and compliance with federal, state, and local food handling regulationsMaintain clean, organized kitchens with ingredients properly stored and rotated; report maintenance and repair needs as they ariseStep in and assist wherever needed, whether that be cooking, prep, or event serviceSecondary OutletsOversee menus, quality, and efficiency at the Cafe, Kings Grill, and Coffee Shop, ensuring these outlets deliver fast, consistent, family-friendly food at appropriate costDevelop sous chefs and leads to manage day-to-day execution at secondary outlets so the Executive Chef's focus remains on Aurora and banquetsQualifications:Proven experience leading high-end banquet and wedding operations, including multi-course plated dinners and large-format events for 100 or more guests; this is a critical requirementProven work experience as an Executive Chef, Head Chef, or similar role in a fine dining restaurant, luxury hotel, resort, or premier event venueDemonstrated success managing food cost, labor cost, and a culinary budget to targetTrack record of building positive kitchen cultures and retaining staff in a competitive labor marketAdvanced culinary skills, including food preparation, flavor pairings, and the ability to develop unique recipes and menusServSafe certification required (ServSafe Manager certification preferred)Excellent communication and delegation skills, a team-oriented mindset, and the ability to resolve problems calmly under pressureAble to work weekends, holidays, and evening eventsBS degree in culinary arts or a related field, or equivalent work experienceEmployee Benefits:Medical, dental, and vision benefitsPaid time offEmployee housing offeredEmployee and family winter ski season passOnline pro deal access