Chef
Visa sponsorship
Hospitality · Queenstown, New Zealand · Full-Time · $27/hr · Visa: Employer sponsored
This Queenstown restaurant is looking for a Chef with real kitchen experience who wants more ownership: how good the food is, how the team performs and how each service runs. You would have a say on menus, handle stock and deal with suppliers, and there is scope to take on more.
Eligible candidates can be sponsored, and every application is judged on the experience and professional background you can demonstrate.
State the size of the largest team you have led, the menus you have contributed to and the stock systems you are familiar with. Build AI CV can help you shape a CV that puts your senior kitchen time up front.
Key Responsibilities
- Be accountable for consistent food quality and presentation
- Cook and finish dishes as the recipe and the tempo of service require
- Judge whether ingredients are fresh, good quality and fit for purpose
- Get stuck into prep: washing, cutting, blending, seasoning, heating and cooling, while keeping cooking times and temperatures under watch
- Tailor preparation to dietary and special food needs
- Orchestrate the kitchen during prep and service, giving the team practical direction
- Share the leadership of a kitchen team of up to 12 people day to day, and step confidently into other sections whenever required
- Check incoming stock, speak up when it falls short and make sure ingredients are stored properly
- Keep an eye on food supplies, inventory and equipment, and assist with purchasing and dealing with suppliers
- Contribute fresh recipes, menu ideas and improvements to existing dishes
- Run kitchen routines accurately and consistently, relying on digital systems for accountability and for reporting on operations
- Monitor how much food is used, and help rein in food costs and kitchen labour
- Keep management informed about kitchen performance
- Foster a positive and professional team culture, and keep standards steady whether trade is busy or quiet
- Identify operational issues and take sensible action to resolve them
- Look after cleanliness, hygiene and equipment standards in line with workplace procedures and food safety requirements, and help the kitchen's systems and service keep improving
Requirements & Eligibility
- A minimum of 3 years' professional kitchen experience
- Time spent in established restaurants, hospitality venues or commercial kitchens
- Has held a senior or responsible position in a kitchen
- A verifiable, genuine employment history that is relevant to the role
- Practical cooking and prep skills that you can show
- Strong command of professional kitchen procedures
- Moves confidently between kitchen sections, and can direct and back up other kitchen staff
- Having supervised or led a kitchen team before is highly desirable
- Knows what good quality and presentation look like, and understands dietary requirements and safe food handling
- Has handled stock control, inventory and kitchen supplies
- Knowing how food costs and operational efficiency work is advantageous
- Having helped develop menus or create recipes is advantageous
- Calm and efficient when service is under pressure
- Good at working with others and communicating, professional, and ready to take responsibility
- Works well with suppliers and management
- Open to picking up the digital tools the restaurant uses for accountability and reporting
- Fluent English: speaking, reading and writing
- Supporting documents for your qualifications and professional experience must be available, and you must meet applicable New Zealand employment and visa requirements
Apply: Apply by email · WhatsApp
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