A Culinary Series bringing together Relais & Chateaux Chefs honoring Place, Craft, and Conservation 

Philipsburg, Montana -January 2026 –The Ranch at Rock Creek, a Forbes Five-Star guest ranch and distinguished member of Relais & Châteaux, introduces Elemental Table - an intimate, chef-led dinner series celebrating the elemental forces that shape the Northern Rockies' food system. 

Spearheaded by Executive Chef Zachary Ladwig of The Ranch at Rock Creek, this series is a sequence of immersive weekend residencies bringing together acclaimed chefs from the global Relais & Châteaux family to explore the intersection of terroir, stewardship, and culinary expression. Each weekend is anchored by a defining natural element: water, snowpack, and the riverways that sustain life, agriculture, and cuisine throughout the region, interpreted through thoughtfully composed, seasonally grounded menus.

Throughout each residency, visiting chefs engage deeply with the landscape of The Ranch at Rock Creek, participating in ingredient discovery, environmental immersion, and collaborative menu development alongside the Ranch's culinary team. The experience culminates in the Elemental Table dinner: an intimate gathering where storytelling around conservation, craftsmanship, and sense of place is woven seamlessly into the dining experience.

Environmental stewardship is central to the series' mission. Ten percent of total food and beverage revenue from each Elemental Table weekend is donated to a nonprofit partner focused on river health, watershed protection, or snowpack sustainability, extending the experience beyond the table and underscoring The Ranch's enduring commitment to safeguarding Montana's natural ecosystem.

Set within the Relais & Châteaux family of mountain, rural, and cold-climate properties, Elemental Table reflects a shared philosophy rooted in seasonality, preservation, and respect for place. From February to October 2026, the series traces the natural rhythm of the seasons from winter's quiet resilience to the abundance of summer and the depth of autumn, welcoming one distinguished guest chef per weekend to bring their regional perspective to life through local ingredients and time-honored culinary traditions.

By day, guests immerse themselves in privately guided outdoor adventures across 6,600 acres. Evenings unfold with mountain-inspired cuisine paired with beverage partners who share a commitment to sustainability and craft. Complementing the culinary journey, select artisan workshops highlight makers whose work is shaped by Montana's terrain, offering an intimate window into the heritage and craftsmanship of the American West.

With Elemental Table, The Ranch at Rock Creek positions dining as both celebration and responsibility where world-class cuisine, environmental awareness, and the spirit of the American West converge.

Details of the Elemental Table 2026 Calendar of Events may be found here.

Media: Please contact Carol Ann Kelley-Elwell (carolann@vkpr.com) at Victoria King Public Relations, Inc. for images and additional information. 

THE RANCH AT ROCK CREEK – Philipsburg, Montana

The Ranch at Rock Creek is situated on 6,600 acres of rugged Montana wilderness on the outskirts of Philipsburg. The Ranch offers an array of rustic yet elegant accommodations, including luxury suites in The Granite Lodge, authentic log cabins and historic barn accommodations. Additionally, meandering along Rock Creek lie several luxury canvas cabins, often considered the definitive glamping experience. The property features a 2,000 square-foot spa and a 5,300 square-foot event barn. A variety of year-round outdoor activities are offered, including fly fishing, horseback riding, sporting clay shooting, sapphire mining, hiking, biking, archery and more. Come winter, guests can enjoy on-property snowshoeing, cross country, horse-drawn sleigh rides, ice skating and sledding, as well as trips to Discovery Ski Area, a quaint alpine ski destination located just 25 minutes away, equipped with a Ski Concierge available exclusively to Ranch guests. The Ranch at Rock Creek is affiliated with Relais & Châteaux, Virtuoso Hotels & Resorts, and American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts. In 2013, The Ranch at Rock Creek became the first guest ranch in the world to earn the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Award.

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