Sous Chef - Wooden Nickel

Job Description

Job Description

Do You Love Great Food, Leadership, and Mountain Living as Much as We Do?

Work Hard. Play Hard. Live Fully in Crested Butte.

At Elk Ave Hospitality, we are building teams for people who want more than just a job. We are looking for individuals who want to work hard, grow their skills, be part of a strong team, and enjoy the unmatched lifestyle that comes with living in the Gunnison Valley.

If you love cooking, take pride in leading from the line, and thrive in a fast-paced kitchen environment where standards matter, we want to hear from you.

Whether your passion is skiing first tracks, biking wildflower-lined trails, fishing alpine waters, or simply soaking in the beauty of the Rockies, this is your chance to build a life that blends professional growth with personal adventure.

We are growing quickly and actively building career paths for people who want to develop their knowledge, expand their skills, and contribute to a strong hospitality culture.

What You Can Expect

• A positive, team-oriented work environment
• Ongoing training, learning, and development
• Opportunities for growth and advancement within Elk Ave Hospitality
• Employee housing opportunities, including access to top-tier affordable employee housing
• Competitive compensation
• Health benefits
• Paid time off
• The opportunity to live and work in one of Colorado’s most remarkable mountain communities

This is a full-time salaried leadership position.

Who We’re Looking For

You may be a strong fit if you:

• Work well as part of a team
• Take pride in quality, consistency, and execution
• Can lead with confidence in a fast-paced kitchen environment
• Value cleanliness, organization, readiness, and discipline
• Communicate clearly with chefs, managers, and hourly teams
• Want to grow and help others grow
• Bring a positive attitude, professionalism, and accountability to work each day
• Care deeply about doing things the right way, every shift

Our core values are Communication, Humility, Accountability, Integrity, and Respect , and we are looking for team members who want to live those values in the workplace.

What Will Be Expected of You

In this role, team members may be expected to:

• Maintain a professional appearance and follow dress and uniform standards
• Work mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours during busy seasonal periods
• Communicate clearly and work effectively with culinary leadership and hourly team members
• Help maintain clean, organized, safe, and service-ready kitchen environments
• Work with consistency, urgency, and a team-first attitude
• Lead by example in a kitchen where standards, timing, and quality matter
• Step into leadership coverage when needed and support the operation at a high level

Cross-Training and Growth

We believe in building flexible, well-rounded culinary leaders through cross-training and operational awareness. The Sous Chef role is a key leadership position that supports kitchen execution, team development, and the long-term strength of the culinary operation.

This position offers the opportunity to deepen leadership skills, strengthen operational knowledge, and grow within a hospitality group that values development and advancement.

About Elk Ave Hospitality

Elk Ave Hospitality is a growing family of restaurants and hospitality businesses in Crested Butte and the Gunnison Valley. Our venues offer a wide range of guest experiences, from elevated dining to approachable everyday hospitality, all rooted in quality, consistency, and genuine care for our guests and our team.

We believe hospitality can be both a craft and a career. With multiple venues, varied concepts, and opportunities for advancement, we are able to offer year-round employment, cross-training, and real pathways for growth. We are building a company for people who want to work hard, contribute to a strong team culture, and grow their skills over time.

About Wooden Nickel

Wooden Nickel is a historic part of the Crested Butte community and a long-standing fixture in the town’s hospitality landscape. With deep local roots and a legacy that reflects the character of Crested Butte itself, Wooden Nickel carries a sense of familiarity, tradition, and mountain-town charm that has made it meaningful to generations of guests and locals alike.

As part of Elk Ave Hospitality, Wooden Nickel continues that tradition by offering a guest experience grounded in warmth, consistency, and genuine service. It is a place where history, community, and hospitality come together. For team members, Wooden Nickel offers the opportunity to be part of a venue that is not only well known, but genuinely woven into the story of Crested Butte.

Opportunities Available

Wooden Nickel is hiring for the following opportunity:

• Sous Chef

Position Summary

As Sous Chef, I play a key leadership role in supporting daily back-of-house operations at Wooden Nickel. I help lead kitchen execution, maintain food quality and consistency, support team performance, and ensure the kitchen is clean, organized, and set up for success.

This role is ideal for a hands-on culinary professional who leads from the line, communicates clearly, and thrives in a fast-paced environment. I bring urgency, professionalism, attention to detail, and a strong commitment to food quality, team development, and operational discipline.

I report to the Chef de Cuisine and Executive Chef. At times, I may serve as the senior back-of-house leader on site and may be responsible for maintaining standard kitchen operations during service or assigned shifts.

Benefits and Perks

• Competitive compensation
• Health benefits
• Paid time off
• Employee housing opportunities, including access to top-tier affordable employee housing
• Opportunities for growth and advancement within Elk Ave Hospitality
• The chance to live and work in one of Colorado’s most remarkable mountain communities

Key Responsibilities

Culinary Leadership and Kitchen Execution

• As Sous Chef, I help lead daily kitchen operations to ensure food is prepared and executed to company standards.
• I support service by maintaining strong communication, urgency, and attention to detail throughout each shift.
• I work all stations as needed and support the team in delivering a smooth, efficient, and high-quality service.
• I maintain consistency in food preparation, plating, and overall product execution.
• I help develop and execute daily specials and support menu implementation as directed by culinary leadership.

Team Leadership and Development

• I support the training, supervision, and development of cooks and stewards.
• I lead by example through professionalism, accountability, consistency, and strong work ethic.
• I help maintain a culture of discipline, teamwork, and respect within the kitchen.
• I communicate clearly with culinary leadership and teammates to support operational success.
• I reinforce standards, expectations, and proper procedures across the back of house.

Inventory, Ordering, and Operational Support

• I support ordering, inventory, and product organization to maintain readiness and efficiency.
• I help monitor product levels, proper storage, rotation, and waste awareness.
• I assist in maintaining accurate inventory practices and cost-conscious kitchen habits.
• I support prep planning, station organization, and kitchen readiness to ensure each shift is properly set up for success.
• I maintain familiarity with scheduling, inventory systems, recipe management, and kitchen administrative tools.

Sanitation, Safety, and Facility Oversight

• I ensure all kitchen areas remain clean, organized, sanitary, and in compliance with health and safety standards.
• I maintain complete knowledge of proper food handling, sanitation procedures, and company policies.
• I help oversee the cleanliness and care of kitchen equipment, storage areas, prep spaces, and production areas.
• I ensure all food-related work areas meet company and health department standards at all times.
• I promote a culture of cleanliness, safety, pride, and operational discipline throughout the kitchen.

Qualifications

• Prior culinary leadership experience required
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced kitchen environment
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to lead, support, and develop a team
• Strong problem-solving ability and the confidence to respond effectively during service
• A hands-on leadership style with a willingness to work alongside the team wherever needed
• Ability to maintain professionalism, composure, and quality standards during high-volume periods

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Ability to work all stations in a professional kitchen
• Strong understanding of kitchen systems, prep organization, and line execution
• Experience with restaurant inventory systems and ordering processes
• Familiarity with Craftable or similar inventory management software
• Comfort with scheduling, spreadsheets, and general office software, including Microsoft Office
• Experience with recipe management software and kitchen administrative systems
• Understanding of food cost controls, waste reduction, and operational organization
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English
• Ability to communicate in Spanish is appreciated
• Strong basic math skills and attention to detail

Physical and Position Requirements

• Must be able to stand and move continuously for extended periods of time
• Must be able to walk, bend, twist, stoop, stretch, climb, and lift throughout each shift
• Must be able to work efficiently in a crowded, fast-paced kitchen environment
• Must be capable of adjusting to changes in pace, priorities, and business volume
• Must be able to lift at least 30 pounds
• Must be able to work mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours as needed in a seasonal hospitality environment
• Must be able to work in an environment with temperature fluctuations, hot surfaces, sharp tools, kitchen equipment, cleaning chemicals, and loud background noise

Important Position Information

This is a full-time salaried position. Benefits include health benefits and paid time off.

What Success Looks Like in This Role

Success in this position means creating a disciplined, organized, and well-supported kitchen environment where the team can perform at a high level and guests consistently receive a strong product. I lead by example, live the core values, support the operation with urgency and professionalism, and help ensure Wooden Nickel delivers food, execution, and teamwork that feel dependable, well-crafted, and true to the brand.