Head Chef – Majestic Dude Ranch (Summer 2026)

Location: Mancos, Colorado – nestled in the San Juan Mountains of Southwest Colorado
Season: Summer 2026 (with potential for recurring seasonal employment)
Room & Board: Staff accommodations and food provided. Housing is rustic and sometimes shared.
No-Tolerance Policy: Majestic Dude Ranch maintains a strict no-alcohol and no-drug policy in staff housing and anywhere on ranch property. Violation results in immediate termination.

About Majestic Dude Ranch

Majestic Dude Ranch is a family-owned, all-inclusive guest ranch known for unforgettable adventure, genuine Western hospitality, and a team that feels like family. Guests come for a once-in-a-lifetime experience—and our staff make it possible.

We’re seeking a Head Chef to lead all lodge dining operations for the 2026 season. This is a hands-on leadership role where you will manage a team, oversee ordering and organization, and ensure meals are executed on time every day while delivering the warm, home-cooked dining experience we’re known for.

This role demands excellence, consistency, and strong leadership—someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and takes pride in doing things right.

Position Overview

• The Head Chef is responsible for the overall success, structure, and execution of the lodge dining experience. This includes:
• Supervising kitchen and lodge staff to ensure a successful execution and operation each day
   
• Maintaining food quality, consistency, and presentation
   
• Managing food and supply inventory, weekly ordering, sanitation, guest satisfaction, and timing
   
• Executing a rotating, largely preset menu while adding creativity to sides, salads, and presentation
   
• Ensuring lodge meals and service are professional, efficient, and always on time
   
• This is not a back-office culinary role—the kitchen is open-air and guest-facing, requiring professionalism, hospitality, and comfort interacting with guests daily.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and execute three daily meals for guests and staff in a buffet/family-style setting
   
• Lead, supervise, schedule, and train a team of cooks, servers, and dishwashers
   
• Ensure outstanding food quality, presentation, and timing
   
• Maintain a clean, sanitary, safe, and organized kitchen, storage areas, and equipment
   
• Manage weekly ordering, receiving, and inventory with strong cost control and minimal waste
   
• Oversee and schedule equipment maintenance and repairs as needed
   
• Execute smoking and barbequing meat multiple times per week with high attention to detail
•  
• Ability to execute and make alternative meal selections for guests with dietary restrictions and allergies.
•  
• Communicate effectively with management and staff to ensure seamless daily operations
   
• Stay calm and focused during peak service, responsible for cooking up to 50–60 guests and staff during peak weeks. 
   
• Present yourself and your team professionally—mistreatment of coworkers or negative attitudes are not tolerated
   
• Uphold the ranch’s high standards of guest service and hospitality
   

Leadership & Professional Expectations

• Lead by example—punctual, professional, respectful, and solutions-focused
   
• Model a positive and cooperative work ethic
   
• Hold yourself and your team to high standards of consistency and accountability
   
• Maintain strong communication with management and other departments
   
• Create a supportive, professional kitchen environment where all team members can succeed
   
• Treat guests and coworkers respectfully at all times
   

Required Skills & Experience

• Prior experience grilling and smoking meats—a core part of our ranch dining program
   
• Ability to run a kitchen with a preset menu while ensuring outstanding execution
   
• Prior experience supervising multiple team members
   
• Strong organization, time management, and multitasking abilities
   
• Ability to execute meal service for large groups (50–60 guests and staff)
   
• Inventory, ordering, food cost management, and kitchen organization experience
   
• Previous professional kitchen experience in a lodge, ranch, resort, hotel, camp, or similar remote setting
   
• A passion for home-style, hearty food and genuine hospitality
   
• Positive attitude and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment
   
• Must be comfortable working in a guest-facing kitchen
   

Preferred Qualifications

• 1+ year in a Head Chef or Assistant Chef position
   
• 2+ years of professional kitchen experience at a resort, camp, ranch, or similar facility
   
• Current ServSafe or equivalent food manager certification
   
• Current Red Cross First Aid & CPR 
   

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Ability to work long days at a fast pace with professionalism and enthusiasm
   
• Ability to work 6 days per week during peak season
   
• Must be able to thrive in a rustic, remote environment
   
• Endurance to remain guest-focused throughout the day
   
• Must adhere to the ranch’s zero-tolerance policy on alcohol and drugs
   

Why Join Majestic Dude Ranch

Majestic Dude Ranch is a high-expectation workplace where leaders thrive. You’ll join a hardworking, passionate team committed to creating unforgettable experiences for guests of all ages.

The work is demanding—but incredibly rewarding. You’ll sharpen your leadership skills, develop lasting friendships, and play a vital role in creating memories that stay with families forever.

How to Apply

Please send your resume, references, and a brief introduction describing your experience leading a kitchen team to: info@majesticduderanch.com.

Requirements

Required Skills & Experience

• Prior experience grilling and smoking meats—a core part of our ranch dining program
   
• Ability to run a kitchen with a preset menu while ensuring outstanding execution
   
• Prior experience supervising multiple team members
   
• Strong organization, time management, and multitasking abilities
   
• Ability to execute meal service for large groups (50–60 guests and staff)
   
• Inventory, ordering, food cost management, and kitchen organization experience
   
• Previous professional kitchen experience in a lodge, ranch, resort, hotel, camp, or similar remote setting
   
• A passion for home-style, hearty food and genuine hospitality
   
• Positive attitude and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment
   
• Must be comfortable working in a guest-facing kitchen

Preferred Qualifications

• 1+ year in a Head Chef or Assistant Chef position
   
• 2+ years of professional kitchen experience at a resort, camp, ranch, or similar facility
   
• Current ServSafe or equivalent food manager certification
   
• Current Red Cross First Aid & CPR

How To Apply

Please send your resume, references, and a brief introduction describing your experience leading a kitchen team to: info@majesticduderanch.com.

Majestic Dude Ranch is a high-expectation workplace where leaders thrive. You’ll join a hardworking, passionate team committed to creating unforgettable experiences for guests of all ages.

The work is demanding—but incredibly rewarding. You’ll sharpen your leadership skills, develop lasting friendships, and play a vital role in creating memories that stay with families forever.