Job Details:

Thai Chef

Full-time, permanent | Hawke’s Bay

We are looking for a Thai Chef to join our team in Hawke’s Bay. You will plan and organise the preparation and cooking of Thai cuisine, maintain food quality and help ensure efficient kitchen service.

Requirements

Applicants must meet at least one of the following:

• Minimum of 2 years of related work experience, including experience working as a cook; OR

• A minimum of NZ Register Level 4 qualification, which may substitute for experience (overseas qualifications must be comparable to the standard of the New Zealand qualification); OR

• The National Skill Standard Testing Level 1 (Thai Cook or Thai Chef) from Thailand. AND

• Knowledge of Thai food ingredients.

Key duties and responsibilities

1 Menu planning and development

• Develop Thai menus and seasonal specials with management, considering customer preferences, ingredient availability and budget.

• Establish recipes, preparation methods, portions and presentation standards.

• Assess ingredient substitutions while maintaining each dish’s intended flavour.

2 Food costing and purchasing

• Calculate food and portion costs and estimate ingredient quantities and kitchen labour requirements.

• Order supplies within approved budgets and check deliveries for quality and freshness.

• Monitor ingredient usage and wastage to control costs.

3 Kitchen production and coordination

• Organise preparation schedules and cooking sequences for timely service.

• Allocate tasks and coordinate staff across kitchen stations.

• Resolve ingredient shortages, preparation difficulties and service delays.

4 Preparing and cooking Thai cuisine

• Prepare Thai curries, soups, salads, wok dishes, noodles and grilled dishes.

• Make curry pastes, stocks, sauces, dressings and marinades as required.

• Apply Thai cooking techniques and balance chilli, acidity, sweetness, saltiness and aromatics.

• Accommodate agreed dietary requirements while managing allergen risks.

5 Food quality control

• Check food quality throughout preparation, cooking and presentation.

• Taste and adjust dishes, ensuring correct texture, portions, temperature and appearance.

• Correct preparation and cooking issues to maintain consistency.

6 Technical guidance and training

• Demonstrate Thai preparation methods, wok techniques, sauce making and plating.

• Train and guide staff in recipes, portion control, equipment use and food handling.

• Monitor their work and provide practical feedback.

7 Food safety and hygiene

• Explain and enforce kitchen hygiene and food safety procedures.

• Monitor safe storage, thawing, cooking, cooling, reheating and cleaning practices.

• Maintain required records and address food safety concerns.

8 Communication and service coordination

• Discuss menus, preparation requirements and kitchen issues with management and front-of-house staff.

• Provide information about ingredients, allergens, dish availability and preparation times.

• Review customer feedback and recommend improvements.

Employment details

• Employment type: Full-time, permanent.

• Location: Hawke’s Bay.

• Pay: NZ$25–$40 gross per hour, depending on skills and experience, paid weekly.

• Hours: A minimum of 30 guaranteed hours per week, with a maximum of 48 hours per week.

• Roster: Work will be rostered over 5–6 days each week.

• Leave: Annual holidays, sick leave and public holiday entitlements will be provided in accordance with New Zealand employment law.

How to apply

Applicants should be New Zealand citizens or residents, or hold a valid New Zealand work visa permitting them to undertake this role.

To apply, please submit your CV and details of your relevant experience or qualifications through this platform.

For enquiries, please contact ligertrader@gmail.com.