One of Yellowstone’s Actors Was in Charge of Feeding the Show’s Cast and Crew
Some Yellowstone cast members have proven to be as indispensable behind the camera as they are in front of it — and none more so than Gabriel “Gator” Guilbeau, the real-life chef who not only kept the cast and crew fed but also ended up playing the Dutton family’s personal cook on-screen.
While fans know him as “Gator” — the friendly, capable chef who serves up hearty meals at the Dutton ranch — his main job was far from acting. Guilbeau was the head of craft services for Yellowstone, responsible for feeding the hundreds of people working on the show’s grueling production schedule.
Cooking at Dawn, Feeding the Frontier
In a 2023 interview with The Pioneer Woman, Guilbeau described just how demanding — and rewarding — his work could be.
“Some days, I start at 3 a.m.,” he shared. “It makes a difference to people to have food that’s hot, homemade, and delicious when they’re working 16-plus hours. My team will hightail it up a mountain in ATVs and set up tables in the woods in the middle of nowhere. Filming isn’t as glamorous as you’d think.”
The Yellowstone crew often shot in remote areas across Montana, meaning Guilbeau had to adapt his cooking to unpredictable conditions — whether that meant grilling in freezing winds or baking pies at high altitudes.
His dedication and skill didn’t go unnoticed by the cast, either. Kevin Costner, who plays patriarch John Dutton III, reportedly loved Gator’s apple pie — though he wasn’t quite as enthusiastic about everything on the menu.
Guilbeau once served grilled octopus to the cast, and Costner’s visible disgust actually inspired a moment in the season 2 episode “The Reek of Desperation.” The reaction was so authentic that creator Taylor Sheridan decided to write it into the show.
How Gator Became Gator — The On-Screen Chef
Guilbeau’s unexpected acting debut came about almost by accident. After a long morning of cooking for the crew, he showed up to set one day — covered in ash and wearing his kitchen apron — and caught Sheridan’s eye.
“I went to the wardrobe department with a greasy apron and ash from the barbecue on my face,” Guilbeau recalled. “They looked at each other and said, ‘This is perfect!’ Taylor says, ‘Okay, go do some Gator stuff.’”
And just like that, Gator went from behind the catering tent to in front of the camera. Sheridan handed him a knife and told him to start chopping onions and potatoes for a stew — his natural rhythm and authenticity made for a perfect fit.
“From behind the camera, Taylor goes, ‘Oh, yes,’” Guilbeau remembered.
From the Dutton Ranch to 1883
Guilbeau’s food became a legend on set, and Sheridan brought him along to the Yellowstone prequel 1883 to keep the crew fed there too. His presence ensured that both productions shared the same spirit of authenticity — and the same comfort food.
Now, with more Yellowstone spin-offs on the way (including 6666 and 1944), there’s a good chance fans will see or hear from Gator again — whether he’s cooking behind the scenes or appearing as part of the Dutton legacy.