Restaurant Chef de Cuisine

Chef de Cuisine Job Description

Reports To: Executive Chef                         

FLSA Status: Hourly, non-exempt                  

Prepared By: HR Director & Executive Chef              

Prepared Date: 2/17/26         

Compensation: $65k-$75k/yr

About Us: 

Welcome to old-world grandeur with comfy, sumptuous updates that celebrate the spirit of good times, delicious food and great friends. We’ve designed a space and a place where top-rated, lively dining experiences unfold, inside and out. This is where people connect and indulge in every detail, every moment – in a truly special, historic destination, in total comfort and style. 

Launching in August of 2026, our brand new Antithesis restaurant lives within the historic Royal Gorge Mansion (formerly the Robison Mansion, built it in the 1880s). Located in the Royal Gorge Region, Colorado (Cañon City), situated north of Westcliffe and east of Salida, Antithesis and the Royal Gorge Mansion are perfectly positioned at the mouth of THE Royal Gorge canyon on a pristine historic 4-acre property enclosed by a stunning circa-1880 iron fence with upwards of 80 trees, an historic fountain surrounded by cozy firepits and beautifully maintained grounds.

Summary: A Chef de Cuisine is a versatile culinary professional who rotates between different kitchen stations, stepping in wherever needed to maintain smooth operations. This role demands adaptability, broad culinary expertise, and strong leadership skills.

Essential Job Duties

• Fill in across various kitchen stations (e.g., grill, sauté, pastry, garde-manger)
• Prepare and cook dishes to the restaurant’s standards
• Maintain food quality, presentation, and consistency across all stations
• Train and mentor junior kitchen staff
• Assist with mise en place, inventory checks, and restocking
• Ensure compliance with food safety and sanitation protocols
• Collaborate with Sous Chef and Executive Chef to prioritize tasks
• Adapt quickly to changing roles and responsibilities during service
• Other duties as assigned by management 

Education/Minimum Requirements

• Culinary degree or equivalent hands-on experience
• Proven experience in a similar role (typically 2–3 years)

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Proficiency in multiple cooking techniques and kitchen equipment
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Excellent communication and leadership abilities
• Ability to work under pressure and multitask effectively
• High attention to detail and commitment to quality
• Flexibility to work varied shifts and cover different stations
• Kitchen Manager Food Safety Certification

Working Conditions

• Fast-paced kitchen setting in restaurants and catering services
• Exposure to heat, steam, and kitchen noise
• Requires physical stamina and ability to stand for long periods 

We love Colorado and we care about our team members and our guests. That’s why the Royal Gorge Route Railroad is 100% smoke-free, inside and out. No smoking of any kind is allowed on any Royal Gorge Route Railroad properties or sister properties, including all Railroad property, on the train, at Happy Endings Caboose Cafe, the Royal Gorge Mansion or the Royal Gorge Route Inns. We do not provide additional “smoke breaks” for any staff member beyond what is legally required.  In addition, any staff member that smokes on a designated break, must not have any scents of smoke on clothing, hair and/or breath. Any staff member scene smoking or vaping on company owned property or the train will be subject to immediate termination.

Being a smoke-free environment for guests and a smoke-free workplace for staff ensures we uphold our customer promise - to provide a world class experience. It also means we uphold our employee promise - to provide a healthy, professional, clean atmosphere where everyone has the opportunity to grow and thrive.