The Man Behind the Menu

Though his culinary career may have begun as a happy accident, Executive Chef Dave Wells' success is anything but accidental. In January 2017, Chef Wells joined Chico Hot Springs Resort as a sous chef and was quickly promoted to executive chef. Since then, Chef Wells has been a semifinalist for four James Beard Awards: 2019 Best Chef Northwest, 2020 Best Chef Mountain, 2022 Best Chef Mountain, and 2025 Best Chef Mountain — and is now a finalist for 2025. Chef Wells's dedication to crafting Montana-focused cuisine and elevating the state's culinary scene continues to be the driving force behind his work.