Rob Citto is our Executive Chef.  He is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York.  Originally from Staten Island, New York, he has traveled the world following his passion of food, working in Alaska, Costa Rica and Panama.  When not in the kitchen, you might find Rob rock climbing, skiing and most importantly, fly fishing, even in the winter.  His passion for the culinary arts is contagious, and once you get him going on that subject, it’s hard to get him to stop!

Matt Campbell returns this summer as our Sous Chef.  He grew up in the country in West Tennessee, spending summers with his grandparents where he fell in love with food at a young age watching them harvest and cook fresh vegetables from the garden.  Matt has called Colorado his home for the past 10 years and spends his summers fishing and hiking and winters on his snowboard, when not in the kitchen.

Blake Bond recently graduated from the Texas Culinary Institute in Austin, Texas.  He’s spent time as a sauté cook for an exclusive steakhouse outside of Houston.  When he’s not cooking, Blake enjoys a variety of sports and even played college baseball.  He’ll be mixing it up in the kitchen with Chef Citto and the crew for his second season at the ranch.  If you gain weight while you’re at VVR—he’s partly to blame.

Elena Marquez is the bravest person on staff this summer.  She is the only girl in a kitchen full of guys!  Having completed one year at the Culinary Institute of America, Elena has chosen Vista Verde as the location for her externship.  Having worked in restaurants from Texas to New York, Elena is a great addition to our incredible culinary team.  And, don’t forget to ask her about being President of the Picnic Club!

Bekah Roll, originally from Bloomington, Indiana calls the Florida Keys home.  She has found a love for Colorado and guest ranches.  Bekah worked at another ranch for three years before joining us and heads up the dining room again this summer.  In fact, guest ranching runs in her family—her father worked at one in 1968, and her siblings have worked at ranches too.  If you get a chance, ask Bekah about her leather work, not the most common hobby!

Maggie Simpson is one of our servers this summer.  She is from Peoria, Arizona, is an avid runner, and an all-around athlete.  Maggie served as a newspaper editor throughout high school and plans to continue in this field as a journalism major at the University of Arizona this fall.  Maggie comes to VVR with lots of restaurant experience, a big smile and a desire to share a fantastic summer in the Rockies with all of our staff and guests.    

Brooke Kovac hails from Hudson, Ohio and is a sophomore Criminal Justice major at Grace College in Indiana, where she also played college volleyball.  Brooke is one of our stellar servers this summer in the VVR dining room, but she will likely be a regular at the barn as well.  Brooke has owned her own horse for the past couple of years and loves all things horse-related.  When Brooke completes college, she hopes to become an arson investigator or work as a firefighter.

Risheen Maheswaran is a local gal…sort of.  Though she attended college at Columbia University in New York, she has spent the last year in Steamboat working as an AmeriCorps School-Based Mentor.  She double majored in anthropology and psychology.  A word of caution:  watch out for Risheen at the square dance!  She may not be professionally trained, but she can cut a rug with the best of ‘em.