Tandoori/Curry Chef

Full-Time | Permanent | Minimum 30 hours per week | $27–$30 per hour

About Us

We are a well-established Indian restaurant in New Plymouth, Taranaki, serving authentic Indian cuisine to a loyal and growing customer base. Due to increasing demand and continued business growth, we are seeking two dedicated full-time Tandoori/Curry Chefs to join our kitchen team.

This is a full-time, permanent position offering a minimum of 30 hours per week, rostered across six days, including weekends, evenings and public holidays. The role requires flexibility, a strong commitment to food quality, and adherence to food hygiene, health and safety standards.

Key Responsibilities

  • Preparing Ingredients – Cutting, chopping, marinating, and assembling ingredients such as meats, vegetables, spices, and herbs for curries.
  • Cooking Authentic Indian Curries – Preparing a variety of Indian curries, including butter chicken, rogan josh, korma, vindaloo, and dal, using traditional methods.
  • Spice Blending – Mixing and roasting spices to create unique curry pastes and masalas.
  • Tandoor Cooking (if applicable) – Preparing tandoori dishes, naan, and kebabs in a tandoor oven.
  • Menu Planning – Assisting in designing the menu with a focus on Indian curry dishes.
  • Quality Control – Ensuring that food meets taste, presentation, and hygiene standards.
  • Portioning and Presentation – Plating dishes attractively while maintaining portion consistency.
  • Food Safety & Hygiene – Following health and safety regulations in food storage, handling, and preparation.
  • Stock Management – Ordering and managing inventory of ingredients and kitchen supplies.
  • Supervising Kitchen Assistants – Training and overseeing junior kitchen staff, ensuring smooth kitchen operations.

Essential Qualifications & Experience

  • Minimum 3 years of verifiable relevant experience or
  • A relevant Level 4 (or higher) qualification in cookery or hospitality.
  • Specialisation in Indian cuisine, particularly Tandoor or Curry preparation, is preferred
  • Good communication skills and the ability to follow kitchen systems and processes
  • Pre-employment drug and alcohol testing may be required
  • Applicants must have the legal right to work in New Zealand

How to Apply
Please send your CV and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and why you believe you are a suitable candidate for this position. Please also include details of your current New Zealand visa status. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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