Chef
Hospitality · Arrowtown, Otago, New Zealand · Full-Time · $27/hr
If you have years of professional kitchen work behind you, this could be more than just another cooking job. A kitchen in Arrowtown, Otago is looking for experienced culinary professionals with a genuine record in commercial kitchens who are ready to take more ownership of food quality, team performance and daily operations in New Zealand.
You will get to show what you can already do while building further skills in kitchen leadership, menu development, stock management, supplier coordination and restaurant operations.
Candidates are assessed on demonstrated experience, professional background and ability to work at a senior level, and strong performers can take on more responsibility and move up within the business. Senior kitchen experience gained in the Philippines or overseas can count here when it is verifiable.
Key Responsibilities
- Own the consistency of food quality and presentation, preparing, cooking and finishing dishes to established recipes and service requirements
- Choose and check ingredients for freshness, quality and suitability
- Handle food prep such as cleaning, chopping, blending, seasoning, heating and cooling
- Watch cooking processes and keep cooking times and temperatures right
- Use the right preparation methods for dietary and special food needs
- Coordinate the kitchen during prep and service, giving team members direction and hands-on support
- Help lead a kitchen team of up to 12 people in daily operations
- Move confidently between kitchen sections when operations need it
- Check delivered stock quality and speak up when it falls short of standards, making sure ingredients are stored and kept correctly
- Keep track of food supplies, kitchen inventory and equipment needs, and help with purchasing and supplier coordination
- Share ideas for new recipes and menus and for improving existing dishes
- Keep kitchen processes accurate and consistent, using the relevant digital systems for accountability and operational reporting
- Track food usage and help keep food costs under control
- Help monitor kitchen labour and operational efficiency, reporting relevant kitchen performance matters to management
- Help build a positive, professional team culture
- Keep standards high whether trading is busy or quiet
- Spot operational issues and take the right steps to fix them
- Keep the kitchen clean, hygienic and its equipment up to standard, follow workplace procedures and food safety requirements, and help improve kitchen systems and service standards over time
Requirements & Eligibility
- Minimum 3 years' professional kitchen experience, gained in established restaurants, hospitality venues or commercial kitchens
- Proven experience in a senior or responsible kitchen role
- A genuine, verifiable employment history relevant to the role, with supporting documents for your qualifications and professional experience
- Able to show practical cooking and food preparation skills
- Strong knowledge of professional kitchen procedures and confidence working across multiple kitchen sections
- Proven ability to coordinate and support other kitchen staff
- Previous experience supervising or leading a kitchen team is highly desirable
- A strong understanding of food quality and presentation standards, plus knowledge of dietary requirements and safe food preparation
- Experience with stock control, inventory and kitchen supplies
- Understanding food costs and operational efficiency is advantageous
- Experience helping with menu development or recipe creation is advantageous
- Able to stay calm and efficient under service pressure
- Strong teamwork and communication skills
- A professional attitude and willingness to take responsibility, working well with suppliers and management
- Willing to learn the digital systems used for restaurant accountability and reporting
- Fluent English in speaking, reading and writing
- Must meet applicable New Zealand employment and visa requirements; sponsorship available for eligible candidates
Apply: Apply by email · WhatsApp
Visa guide: AEWV Guide for Filipino Workers