Marigold — Lyons, Colorado Position begins January 2027
Salary:
$75,000-$90,000 annually, commensurate with experience Marigold is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Chef de Cuisine to lead our kitchen beginning in January 2027. Located in the foothills of Lyons, Colorado, Marigold is a small, ambitious neighborhood restaurant built around seasonal cooking, exceptional ingredients, and the traditions of Southern Europe. Since opening in 2022, Marigold has established itself as one of Colorado's most recognized restaurants. Under Chef/Owner Theo Adley, Marigold has earned: James Beard Foundation —
Best Chef:
Mountain Semifinalist, 2024 & 2026 5280 Magazine — 25 Best Restaurants, 2023, 2024 & 2026 Wine Enthusiast — Best Wine Restaurants in America, 2024 Colorado Restaurant Association HOSPY — Restaurant of the Year Finalist, 2025 Our food is grounded in French and Italian cooking , with a strong Mediterranean sensibility and a commitment to working closely with Colorado farms and producers. The kitchen is technique-driven without being precious: handmade pasta, whole-animal butchery, bread, pastry, preservation, sauces, and careful seasonal sourcing are fundamental to how we cook. The Position The Chef de Cuisine will assume responsibility for the day-to-day culinary leadership of Marigold, working closely with Chef/Owner Theo Adley while having meaningful ownership over the kitchen, its systems, and its continued evolution. This is a hands-on leadership position. We are looking for a chef who still wants to cook, taste, teach, organize, and develop a team—not simply manage one. Responsibilities include menu development and execution; maintaining consistency and culinary standards; ordering, inventory, food cost and waste management; kitchen organization and sanitation; hiring, training and developing cooks; maintaining relationships with farmers, ranchers and purveyors; and creating a kitchen culture built around discipline, professionalism, curiosity and mutual respect. Qualifications Candidates must have a minimum of two years of experience as a Sous Chef or Chef de Cuisine in a serious fine-dining kitchen. Professional experience with French and Italian cuisine is mandatory. Candidates should have strong working knowledge of: Whole-animal and primal butchery Fish fabrication Handmade pasta Bread and fermentation Pastry and dessert production Classical and contemporary sauce work Seasonal menu development Food costing, ordering and inventory Kitchen systems, organization and staff development We are especially interested in chefs with excellent fundamentals who understand that creativity comes after technique. The right candidate should be organized, calm under pressure, exacting about details, and capable of holding high standards without creating an unhealthy kitchen culture. Compensation This is a full-time salaried leadership position paying $75,000-$90,000 per year , depending on experience and qualifications. The position is expected to begin January 2027 . Marigold is a small restaurant, and this is an opportunity to take a genuine leadership role in an established, nationally recognized kitchen while helping shape its next chapter. We are looking for someone interested in making a meaningful commitment to the restaurant, the team, and the community in Lyons. To apply, please submit a résumé and a brief introduction outlining your culinary background, leadership experience, and why Marigold interests you.
