Executive Chef

About Snow King

Snow 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 Events

Aurora (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 Description

The 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 recognition

Lead culinary planning and execution for high-end weddings, banquets, corporate events, and private celebrations, from tasting menus and client consultations through flawless day-of service

Partner with the sales and events team to create custom banquet menus, pricing, and event packages that exceed client expectations

Maintain consistent plating, presentation, and service standards for both a la carte dining and large-format events

Coordinate summit logistics, including gondola transport of product and staff, so that events run on time regardless of volume or weather

Obtain guest and client feedback on food and service quality and use it to continually improve the experience

Financial Performance

Manage food cost to budgeted targets through menu engineering, recipe costing, portion control, purchasing, and waste reduction

Manage labor cost to budgeted targets through effective scheduling, cross-training, and staffing levels matched to business volume and event calendars

Build and manage the annual culinary budget in partnership with F&B leadership; track results weekly and take corrective action when costs move off target

Negotiate with vendors and manage purchasing, inventory, and month-end counts with accuracy

Price banquet and catering menus to achieve target margins while remaining competitive in the Jackson Hole market

People and Culture

Create a positive, respectful, and professional kitchen culture that attracts quality employees and keeps them returning season after season

Recruit, hire, and onboard kitchen staff, including seasonal and international team members, and ensure staffing levels meet service, operational, and financial objectives

Train 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 fairly

Work in coordination with front of house, events, operations, and other departments to deliver a seamless guest experience

Kitchen Operations and Food Safety

Manage and coordinate activities of both cooks and non-cooking kitchen workers as well as maintenance of premises and equipment

Maintain in-depth knowledge of and compliance with federal, state, and local food handling regulations

Maintain clean, organized kitchens with ingredients properly stored and rotated; report maintenance and repair needs as they arise

Step in and assist wherever needed, whether that be cooking, prep, or event service

Secondary Outlets

Oversee menus, quality, and efficiency at the Cafe, Kings Grill, and Coffee Shop, ensuring these outlets deliver fast, consistent, family-friendly food at appropriate cost

Develop sous chefs and leads to manage day-to-day execution at secondary outlets so the Executive Chef's focus remains on Aurora and banquets

Qualifications

Qualifications:

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 requirement

Proven work experience as an Executive Chef, Head Chef, or similar role in a fine dining restaurant, luxury hotel, resort, or premier event venue

Demonstrated success managing food cost, labor cost, and a culinary budget to target

Track record of building positive kitchen cultures and retaining staff in a competitive labor market

Advanced culinary skills, including food preparation, flavor pairings, and the ability to develop unique recipes and menus

ServSafe certification required (ServSafe Manager certification preferred)

Excellent communication and delegation skills, a team-oriented mindset, and the ability to resolve problems calmly under pressure

Able to work weekends, holidays, and evening events

BS degree in culinary arts or a related field, or equivalent work experience

Employee Benefits:

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Paid time off

Employee housing offered

Employee and family winter ski season pass

Online pro deal access