Executive Sous Chef

UXU Ranch; Cody (WY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Room and board included

Live in Wyoming mountain setting

Western clothing discounts

Job summary

UXU Ranch in Cody, Wyoming, invites an experienced Executive Sous Chef to join our kitchen leadership. You will work closely with our Executive Chef to craft breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and lead the team to deliver exceptional Western-inspired cuisine.

The role emphasizes creativity, recipe development, and cost control, with room for professional growth in a tight-knit, outdoors-focused setting near Yellowstone. Seasonal, with room and board included.

Qualifications

• Seasonal role May–Sept 2027 in Cody, WY.
• Experience in high-volume ranch or restaurant kitchen.
• Ability to lead and train kitchen staff.
• Familiar with menu development and cost controls.

Responsibilities

• Work directly with Chef Romi in breakfast, lunch, and dinner prep.
• Serve as second-in-command; supervise daily kitchen operations.
• Lead when Chef Romi is unavailable to maintain quality and service.
• Help supervise, train, and support kitchen staff.

Skills

Executive Sous Chef leadership

Culinary creativity

Menu development

Food safety & sanitation

Inventory management

Job description

Work, cook, and experience the West in the heart of Wyoming's Shoshone National Forest — just 17 miles from Yellowstone National Park.

Position: Executive Sous Chef
Season: May 7– September 15, 2027 (+/-)
Location: UXU Ranch – Cody, Wyoming
Compensation: Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications
Schedule: Typically, six days per week
Includes: Room & board
Reports To: Executive Chef, Romi St. John-Pollock

A Little About the UXU Ranch

Established in 1929, the UXU Ranch is a historic, family-run dude ranch nestled in the mountains along the North Fork of the Shoshone River, just outside Yellowstone National Park.

Our guests come for the horseback riding, breathtaking scenery, Yellowstone adventures, and authentic Western hospitality. But there's another important part of the UXU experience.

The food.

We believe exceptional dining is an essential part of a memorable ranch vacation. Our culinary program combines hearty Western favorites with thoughtfully prepared contemporary cuisine, quality ingredients, and creative presentation.

From a generous ranch breakfast to a beautifully prepared evening dinner, we want our guests to look forward to every meal.

We're looking for a talented, experienced Executive Sous Chef to work directly alongside our Executive Chef, Chef Romi, as her second-in-command.

This is a hands-on culinary position with genuine opportunities to contribute ideas, develop new recipes, and help build on an established dining program.

We're not looking for someone who simply follows recipes. We're looking for someone who can help create them.

What You'll Do

Support Chef Romi & Lead by Example

• Work directly alongside Chef Romi in preparing and executing breakfast, lunch, and dinner services.

• Serve as second-in-command, assisting with daily kitchen operations and maintaining culinary standards.

• Take the lead when Chef Romi is unavailable, ensuring consistency in food quality, presentation, and service.

• Help supervise, train, and support kitchen staff in a positive, professional working environment.

• Assist with menu planning, food purchasing, inventory management, portion control, and food costs.

• Maintain high standards of kitchen cleanliness, organization, and food safety.

Bring Your Creativity to the Table

• Collaborate with Chef Romi on developing new recipes, seasonal menus, and creative dining experiences.

• Introduce fresh ideas while respecting the character and culinary traditions of the UXU Ranch.

• Experiment with regional ingredients, Western-inspired dishes, and contemporary cooking techniques.

• Help create memorable meals, from hearty ranch breakfasts and casual lunches to thoughtfully prepared evening dinners.

• Participate in special menus, outdoor cooking experiences, and occasional ranch events.

• Accommodate guest dietary restrictions and special requests with care and attention to detail.

A Rustic Ranch. A Team Approach.

At the UXU Ranch, our kitchen and dining room work closely together to create an exceptional guest experience.

While your primary responsibilities will be culinary preparation and kitchen operations, we appreciate someone willing to lend a hand with breakfast, lunch, and dinner setups, buffet presentations, and other dining-related tasks when needed.

We're a small, close-knit team, and flexibility, cooperation, and a willingness to pitch in are important parts of making each meal service run smoothly.

Your focus is the kitchen, your passion is great food, and your willingness to support the team makes all the difference.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who knows their way around a professional kitchen, enjoys being creative, and understands that great food comes from talented people working well together.

Our ideal candidate will have:

• Previous experience as an Executive Sous Chef, Sous Chef, or in a comparable culinary leadership position.

• Strong culinary skills and a genuine appreciation for excellent food.

• Experience preparing both high-quality plated dinners and hearty, well-executed ranch-style meals.

• The ability to follow an established culinary vision while confidently contributing new ideas.

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple meal services.

• Experience with menu development, food ordering, inventory, and cost control.

• Knowledge of proper food safety and sanitation practices.

• A positive attitude, strong work ethic, and the ability to remain calm and professional during busy service.

• A willingness to work collaboratively, support fellow employees, and contribute to a respectful kitchen environment.

Culinary training is certainly welcome, but proven experience, creativity, and the right attitude matter just as much.

Experience with grilling, smoking, open-fire cooking, and “Wyoming” Ranch Western-inspired cuisine would be a plus.

Schedule & Expectations

• Seasonal employment, approximately May 7 +/- through September 15 +/-, 2027.

• Typically, a six-day workweek, with scheduling based on ranch operations.

• Weekend and holiday availability required.

• Early mornings, evenings, and split shifts may be necessary depending on meal schedules.

• This is a hands-on position requiring stamina, flexibility, and the ability to work efficiently during busy service periods.

Ranch life can be demanding during the summer season, but it can also be incredibly rewarding for someone who enjoys the outdoors, appreciates good people, and takes pride in their work.

Compensation & Perks

• Competitive salary plus tips based on experience and qualifications.

• Room and board included.

• Live and work in one of Wyoming's most beautiful mountain settings.

• Opportunities to enjoy horseback riding, Yellowstone excursions, whitewater rafting, and the Cody Nite Rodeo, subject to scheduling and availability.

• Western clothing discounts and other ranch-related perks.

• Opportunities for culinary creativity, menu development, and professional growth.

• Work alongside a small team where your contributions are noticed and appreciated.

And perhaps one of the best benefits?

No commute, no city traffic, and some pretty remarkable mountain views just outside the kitchen door.

The Kind of Chef Who Will Enjoy Working Here

This position isn't for everyone.

We're a remote mountain ranch (35 miles from Cody Wy, 17 miles from the East Gates of Yellowstone National Park). The days can be long, the work can be demanding, and flexibility is essential.

But if you love cooking, enjoy collaborating with other talented people, appreciate the outdoors, and want something different from the typical restaurant environment, the UXU might be exactly what you're looking for.

We take our food seriously, but we also believe a kitchen should be a place where people enjoy working together.

We value creativity without ego, leadership without attitude, and a genuine passion for great food.