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Chef Jobs in Ruidoso, NM (NOW HIRING)

H6290 WAHLBURGERS COOK

Mescalero, NM · On-site

$13.25 - $17.75/hr

Lead/Sous Chef Supervises: N/A Summary of Position Prepares all food and/or salads in an assigned station, following cooking guidelines set for the station. Interact with all customers with IMGR&C ...

Lead/Sous Chef Supervises: N/A Summary of Position Prepares all food and/or salads in an assigned station, following cooking guidelines set for the station. Interact with all customers with IMGR&C ...

H6290 ROCKET CITY COOK

Alamogordo, NM · On-site

$11.50 - $15.25/hr

Lead/Sous Chef Supervises: N/A Summary of Position Prepares all food and/or salads in an assigned station, following cooking guidelines set for the station. Interact with all customers with IMGR&C ...

H6290 BANQUETS COOK

Mescalero, NM · On-site

$17 - $21.25/hr

Lead/Sous Chef Supervises: N/A Summary of Position Prepares all food and/or salads in an assigned station, following cooking guidelines set for the station. Interact with all customers with IMGR&C ...

Showing results 21-29

Chef information

See Ruidoso, NM salary details

$9

$23

$42

How much do chef jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for chef in Ruidoso, NM is $23.66, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.15 and $29.81 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a chef do?

A chef is a professional cook who is responsible for preparing meals, developing menus, and overseeing kitchen operations in restaurants, hotels, or other food establishments. Chefs ensure food quality, safety, and presentation standards are met, and often manage other kitchen staff. Their duties may include ordering ingredients, maintaining inventory, and creating new recipes. Chefs may specialize in specific types of cuisine or cooking techniques. They play a key role in delivering a memorable dining experience.

What is the difference between Chef vs Cook?

AspectChefCook
CredentialsFormal culinary training or certifications often preferredMinimal formal training, on-the-job experience common
Work EnvironmentProfessional kitchens, restaurants, hotelsVaries from home kitchens to restaurants, catering
Job ResponsibilitiesMenu planning, supervising kitchen staff, quality controlFood preparation, cooking, basic kitchen tasks
Industry UsageHigh-end restaurants, culinary institutionsWidespread across all food service settings

While both chefs and cooks work in kitchens and prepare food, chefs typically have formal training, oversee kitchen operations, and work in professional or upscale environments. Cooks usually focus on food preparation and cooking tasks, often with less formal education, and work in a variety of settings. The role of a chef involves leadership and menu development, whereas a cook primarily executes recipes and prepares dishes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a chef, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Chef, you need strong culinary skills, creativity in menu development, and comprehensive knowledge of food safety standards, typically supported by culinary school training or relevant experience. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, recipe management software, and food hygiene certifications (such as ServSafe) is highly valuable. Exceptional organizational ability, teamwork, and leadership are critical soft skills for managing kitchen staff and maintaining a positive work environment. These competencies are essential for delivering high-quality dishes efficiently, ensuring kitchen safety, and running a successful culinary operation.

What are common challenges chefs face in maintaining consistency across dishes and shifts?

Chefs often encounter challenges in ensuring that every dish meets the restaurant’s quality and presentation standards, particularly when managing a team with varying skill levels or during busy service periods. Maintaining consistency requires strong communication, standardized recipes, and rigorous training for all kitchen staff. Additionally, chefs must monitor ingredient quality and adapt quickly to supply changes, all while leading by example to uphold the restaurant’s reputation. Overcoming these challenges is key to delivering a reliable dining experience and building trust with patrons.

What are the most commonly searched types of Chef jobs in Ruidoso, NM?

The most popular types of Chef jobs in Ruidoso, NM are:

What cities near Ruidoso, NM are hiring for Chef jobs?

Cities near Ruidoso, NM with the most Chef job openings:

Infographic showing various Chef job openings in Ruidoso, NM as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $49,209 per year, or $23.7 per hour.

H6290 WAHLBURGERS COOK

Inn of the Mountain Gods

Mescalero, NM • On-site

$13.25 - $17.75/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 24 days ago


Job description

Position Title: Cook - Action Station (all Food & Beverage Outlets)
Reports To: Lead/Sous Chef
Supervises: N/A
Summary of Position
Prepares all food and/or salads in an assigned station, following cooking guidelines set for the station. Interact with all customers with IMGR&C standards for hospitality. Prepares anything needed for production in the kitchens as requested by a supervisor.
Key Responsibilities and Performance/Behaviors
  • Ability
  • Can explain and demonstrate Hospitality Behaviors and Performance Standards.
  • Understands where to get the information needed to complete tasks to standard.
  • Can explain and demonstrate technical skills used to complete tasks to standard.
  • Can explain or demonstrate the behavioral values or standards needed to complete tasks to standard.
  • Understands how to take ownership of problems and solve them when solutions may not be available.
  • Can explain how to request help from others when needed to complete task or goal.
  • Has complete knowledge and can tell others of IMGR&C products and services.
  • Provide guests with directions or other venue information. Act upon all comments/complaints in a prompt, professional and friendly manner.
  • Performance
  • Performance meets expected end results and standards in Key Responsibilities and those listed on technical / operational SOP's and task lists.
  • Responds to obstacles; finds new ways to reach desired end results.
  • In absence of guidance, acts and takes charge to respond to guest or internal customer needs.
  • Responds to change by quickly applying talent and skills in a positive way to succeed.
  • Supports achievement of Quality Goal; "Do it right the first time."
  • Acts to protect and preserve property of IMGR&C. All areas, equipment and furnishings are kept exceptionally neat, clean and in good repair.
  • Makes suggestions to improve performance.
  • Behavior
  • Behavior meets IMGR&C standards (Mission, Values, Hospitality Behaviors, Customer Recovery Skills).
  • Approaches all activities with enthusiasm and encourages enthusiasm from others.
  • Chooses a positive approach in all situations.
  • Respects individuality of others; continues to communicate in order to work together.
  • Speaks positively about guests, other team members and our business in all situations on and off property.
  • Treats other with respect in all situations.
  • Service
  • Serves others.
  • Identifies and can communicate needs of guests and others.
  • Takes quick action to serve others in a way that meets/exceeds their needs.
  • Identifies ways to improve individual or team's service to others.
  • Provides service outside job responsibilities if needed to help resort succeed.
  • Takes ownership of guest problem(s) until it is solved.
  • Professionalism
  • Meets IMGR&C Appearance standards.
  • Professionally supports IMGR&C reputation and image in all situations, on and off property.
  • Attendance
  • Meets IMG&C policy for attendance.
  • Informs supervisor of future absence as far in advance as possible.
  • Required to work all Marketing Special Events and Concerts.
  • Communication
  • Provides information others need to succeed, in time for them to use it.
  • Shares with next shift the information needed for them to succeed.
  • Listens to others without interruption; acts on their feedback when possible.
  • Asks questions to better understand expectations of others.
  • Reports all guest complaints and compliments to Supervisor or Manager.
  • Reports all situations to Supervisor or Manager where resort grounds or equipment do not meet IMGR&C standards.
  • Team Work
  • Puts Success of team ahead of personal success.
  • Helps other team members succeed without being asked.
  • Takes action to resolve conflict between individuals.
  • Helps other departments achieve success.
  • Reports ideas to increase team success and guest satisfaction to Supervisor or Manager.
  • Does whatever is necessary to help department and resort success.
  • Contributes ideas that support progress and success at shift, team and departmental meetings.

  1. Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following and are subject to change at management's discretion:
  • Prepares all food items according to prep list and recipes daily.
  • Maintains a clean and sanitary station area.
  • Operates kitchen equipment in assigned station.
  • Inspects freshness, expirations dates and temperatures.
  • Uses proper rotation technique of First in-First Out.
  • Use proper cooking techniques requires for assigned station.
  • Reports any food/ beverage not of usable quality to Supervisor(s) before discarding.
  • Checks stock on a daily basis and rotates products.
  • Cleans workstation for next shift.
  • Communicates needs/ workload requested to next shift.
  • Preforms other duties as assigned.
  • Adheres to all regulatory, departmental and casino policies and procedures.
  • Interacts with guest in accordance to IMGR&C standards on guest hospitality.
  1. Supervisory Responsibilities
  2. Education and/or Experience Requirements

Meets IMGR&C Values that are reflected in the letters A-P-A-C-H-E, Accountability, Productivity, Acceptance, Communication, Hospitality, and Enthusiasm. Approaches all activities with enthusiasm and encourages enthusiasm from others. Chooses a positive approach in all situations. Treats others with respect in all situations. Works in collaboration with other Team Members to achieve event goals, exemplifies teamwork.
  • High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED) or six months to one year job-related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of educational and experience may be substituted. Must supply own working tools. Mescalero Apache Tribal preference; bicultural experience preferred.
  1. Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a team member to successfully perform the essential duties of this position.
While performing the duties of this position, the team member is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands, to finger, handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk or hear. Must be able to use hand held communications devices. The team member must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The team member must be able to stand for several hours.
  1. Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a team member encounters while performing the essential functions of this position.
The noise level in the work environment is loud. The team member will be exposed to a second-hand smoke-filled environment. The team member may be exposed to biohazardous fluids such as blood and other body fluids. The team member may be exposed to hostile environments with guest. May be subject to high stress environments.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.