After one year at Jean-Georges, Chef Kate was promoted to Chef de Partie of Garde Manger, where Kate remained for the next two years. Next, she spent two years as the executive chef at Hayday Country Market/ Balduccis in Westport CT where she managed a high volume prepared foods department.

Missing the mountains, she found herself back in the serenity of Steamboat Springs, CO where she became part of Café Diva. After six months cooking there, Kate was offered the Executive Chef position and eventually partnership. Through her fresh, flavorful, seasonally changing menus, Chef Kate has earned top marks with critics, food connoisseurs across the country, and Steamboat locals. Since expanding the restaurant (they started with four tables) Café Diva has moved to the pinnacle of dining in Colorado, yet remains quaint in its destination, the Northern Rockies. Chef Kate balances her culinary career with her husband, Craig, her two dogs and her maniacal pursuit of mountain sports.

As a special treat, watch Chef Kate Rench prepare grilled butternut squash pierogies with a walnut sage pesto on Rocky Mountain Chefs. Kate’s portion starts around 1:45, and includes full recipes, and each component is filmed step by step.