Line Cook - Wooden Nickel

Do You Love Great Food, Teamwork, 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 quality, and enjoy working in a fast-paced kitchen environment, 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, depending on the role and availability
• Competitive hourly pay based on experience
• The opportunity to live and work in one of Colorado’s most remarkable mountain communities

This is an hourly role, and compensation is based on experience. Hourly positions are not immediately eligible for health benefits or paid time off.

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 thrive in a fast-paced kitchen environment
• Value cleanliness, organization, and readiness
• Can follow systems, standards, recipes, and prep expectations
• Want to learn and grow
• Bring a positive attitude, professionalism, and accountability to work each day
• Care 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

Depending on the role, team members may be expected to:

• Maintain a professional appearance and follow dress and uniform standards
• Obtain and maintain food safety certifications as required by the role
• Work mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours during busy seasonal periods
• Communicate clearly and work effectively with both teammates and leadership
• Help maintain clean, organized, safe, and service-ready work areas
• Work with consistency, urgency, and a team-first attitude
• Be open to learning multiple areas of the kitchen when appropriate

For kitchen roles, food safety certification such as ServSafe may be preferred or required depending on the position.

Cross-Training and Growth

We believe in building flexible, well-rounded kitchen teams through cross-training. Each team member will have a primary role based on their strongest skills and experience, along with the opportunity to take on secondary responsibilities based on their willingness to learn and grow.

This approach helps employees build a broader understanding of the kitchen, develop new skills, and create more consistent opportunities as business levels shift throughout the season. We have found that this model supports both team success and individual growth while keeping advancement top of mind.

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:

• Line Cook

Position Summary

As a Line Cook, I play an important role in supporting daily back-of-house operations at Wooden Nickel. I prepare and execute food to company standards, maintain station organization and cleanliness, and contribute to a kitchen environment built on teamwork, consistency, and urgency.

This role is ideal for a culinary professional who works well under pressure, communicates clearly, and takes pride in disciplined execution. I bring a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and a commitment to food quality, cleanliness, and team success.

Benefits and Perks

• Competitive hourly pay based on experience
• Employee housing opportunities
• 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

Station Execution and Food Preparation

• As a Line Cook at Wooden Nickel, I prepare and cook menu items according to company standards for quality, consistency, and presentation.
• I take ownership of my assigned station and ensure it is organized, stocked, and service-ready.
• I execute prep, cooking, seasoning, and plating responsibilities with accuracy and urgency.
• I maintain a strong understanding of recipes, specs, and station expectations.
• I support the kitchen team in delivering a smooth, coordinated, and efficient service.

Teamwork and Kitchen Support

• I communicate clearly with chefs, cooks, and support staff throughout prep and service.
• I work collaboratively with the kitchen team to ensure all dishes are prepared and sent out in a timely manner.
• I assist with station transitions, prep support, and general kitchen needs as directed by leadership.
• I help maintain a positive, disciplined, and team-oriented kitchen culture.
• I support the training and example-setting expected in a professional kitchen environment.

Organization, Cleanliness, and Food Safety

• I maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary station throughout each shift.
• I follow all food safety, sanitation, storage, labeling, and rotation procedures.
• I ensure ingredients, tools, and equipment are properly handled, maintained, and stored.
• I help uphold health department standards and company expectations in all food-related work areas.
• I support a culture of pride, cleanliness, and operational discipline throughout the kitchen.

Quality and Consistency

• I maintain consistency in flavor, execution, portioning, and presentation.
• I taste, adjust, and execute food with attention to detail and quality standards.
• I stay focused and organized during high-volume periods while maintaining accuracy.
• I contribute to a kitchen environment where quality and consistency are expected at every station.

Qualifications

• Previous professional kitchen experience preferred
• Two to three years of station cooking experience in a professional kitchen is strongly preferred
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to communicate clearly and work effectively as part of a team
• Strong work ethic, reliability, and willingness to learn
• Ability to maintain focus, urgency, and quality standards during busy service periods

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Strong foundation in cooking techniques, including knife skills, sautéing, grilling, roasting, and frying
• Familiarity with ingredients, flavor profiles, and proper product handling and storage
• Comfort using kitchen tools, equipment, and appliances including ovens, grills, fryers, and stovetops
• Food safety certification such as ServSafe is preferred
• Strong attention to detail with portioning, plating, and recipe execution
• Ability to multitask, stay organized, and work efficiently under pressure
• Passion for food and a genuine interest in culinary growth and development

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, 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 and carry kitchen items and products as needed
• 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 an hourly, non-exempt position. Compensation is based on experience. Hourly positions are not immediately eligible for health benefits or paid time off.

What Success Looks Like in This Role

Success in this position means maintaining a clean, organized, and well-executed station while contributing to a kitchen team that performs with consistency, urgency, and pride. The right candidate works hard, communicates well, lives the core values, and helps ensure Wooden Nickel delivers food and execution that feel dependable, well-crafted, and true to the brand.