Chef – Timaru, Canterbury

Employer: HMT 26 LIMITED

Location: Timaru, Canterbury

Pay: $30.00 – $35.00 per hour (depending on skills and experience)

Hours: Minimum 30 guaranteed hours per week

Employment type: Full-time, permanent

About the role

We are a busy, well-established bar and kitchen in Timaru, serving lunch and dinner six days a week. We are looking for an experienced Chef to lead food preparation, maintain high standards of quality and presentation, and help run a smooth, efficient kitchen during busy service periods.

Our venue operates from 11:00am to 11:00pm, Tuesday to Sunday. Shifts are rostered across these trading hours, and weekend availability is essential.

Key duties and responsibilities

•       Planning and developing menus, including seasonal and daily specials, and estimating food and labour costs to keep the kitchen within budget

•       Ordering food and kitchen supplies, checking deliveries, and managing stock levels and rotation to minimise waste

•       Monitoring the quality of dishes at every stage of preparation, cooking and presentation to ensure consistency

•       Discussing food preparation issues, menu changes, dietary requirements and allergen needs with management, kitchen staff and front-of-house staff

•       Demonstrating cooking techniques and advising kitchen staff on correct cooking procedures and recipe standards

•       Preparing and cooking a range of dishes, including bar meals, à la carte lunch and dinner menus, and function or group orders

•       Explaining and enforcing food safety and hygiene requirements in line with the business's Food Control Plan, including temperature checks, cleaning schedules and safe food handling

•       Assisting with the selection and training of new kitchen staff as required

•       Freezing, storing and preserving food correctly to maintain quality and food safety standards

Skills and experience required

•       At least 2 years of relevant experience working as a Chef in a commercial kitchen, or a relevant NZ Diploma (NZQF Level 4 or above) in cookery or equivalent

•       Sound knowledge of food safety and hygiene practices

•       Ability to work under pressure during busy service periods and maintain quality standards

•       Good communication skills and the ability to work well in a team

•       Ability to supervise and guide junior kitchen staff

•       Availability to work weekends, evenings and public holidays as rostered

How to apply

Please apply online with your CV and/or a cover letter.