Kitchen Hand and Restaurant Supervisor

About Us

Himalayas Restaurant, owned and operated by JGV Cuisines Limited, is a busy and well-established Indian and Nepalese restaurant in Rangiora, proudly serving authentic Himalayan and North Indian cuisine to our local community. We currently have two positions available and are looking for reliable, hard-working people to join our team.

Employment Details (both roles)

·       Employer: JGV Cuisines Limited trading as Himalayas Restaurant

·       Location: Rangiora, Canterbury, New Zealand

·       Employment type: Permanent – minimum 30 hours to maximum 40 hours per week

·       Hours: Includes weekend work, as the restaurant trades seven days

·       Pay rate: $24.00 to $30.00 per hour, based on skills and experience

 

Position 1: Kitchen Hand

Working under the direction of our Head Chef and cooks, you will keep our busy kitchen running smoothly by supporting food preparation, maintaining cleanliness and hygiene, and ensuring our kitchen team has everything they need to prepare our Indian and Nepalese dishes to a high standard.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

·       Assist chefs and cooks with the preparation of Indian and Nepalese dishes, including washing, peeling, cutting and weighing vegetables, meat, paneer and lentils

·       Prepare basic ingredients for curries and tandoori dishes, including chopping onions, garlic and ginger, and measuring spices and spice blends (masalas) as directed by the Head Chef

·       Assemble and prepare accompaniments such as salads, raita, chutneys, pickles and papadums

·       Safely operate and clean kitchen equipment including the tandoor, slicers, mincers, deep fryers and commercial dishwashers

·       Wash and sanitise pots, pans, utensils, crockery and cutlery used in the kitchen and restaurant

·       Receive, unpack, weigh, check and store food deliveries and dry-store and refrigerated stock in accordance with food safety requirements

·       Clean and maintain food preparation areas, cool rooms, storage areas, kitchen floors and surfaces in line with food hygiene regulations

·       Correctly sort and dispose of kitchen waste, including recycling and food waste

·       Assist with basic food preparation tasks, plating and portioning as directed by the Head Chef or Cook

·       Support the kitchen team during peak service periods, including weekends and evenings, to ensure smooth and timely service

Skills and Experience

·       Previous kitchen hand or food preparation experience is an advantage, but not essential – full training will be provided

·       Familiarity with Indian ingredients and cooking styles is beneficial

·       A current New Zealand Food Safety / Food Handler's certificate is desirable, or a willingness to obtain one

·       Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced kitchen environment

·       Good hygiene practices and attention to cleanliness

·       Reliable, punctual, and able to work as part of a team

·       Availability to work a flexible roster, including weekends and evenings

Position 2: Restaurant Supervisor

Reporting to the Restaurant Manager, you will be responsible for coordinating floor operations during your shift, acting as the main point of contact for customer service, stock, pricing and compliance matters, and ensuring every customer receives prompt, high-quality service in line with Himalayas Restaurant's standards. This role does not have any staff reporting to it.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

·       Ensure customers receive prompt table service and consistently high quality food and beverages during every shift, reporting any service issues to the Manager

·       Respond to customer enquiries and complaints about meals, drinks and service, resolving routine issues directly and escalating more complex matters to the Manager

·       Examine returned or complained-about meals and decide on the appropriate action, such as replacement, remake or discount, in consultation with the kitchen and the Manager

·       Take inventory of front-of-house stock such as beverages, condiments and disposables, and advise the Manager of stock requirements for ordering

·       Ensure menu items and specials are correctly priced and displayed, and communicate any pricing or menu changes to customers

·       Ensure health and safety, food hygiene and security procedures are followed on the restaurant floor at all times, reporting any breaches to the Manager

·       Greet and seat customers, manage reservations and table allocation, and oversee the flow of service during busy dinner and weekend trade

·       Monitor the presentation and cleanliness of the dining area and service stations throughout each shift

·       Assist the Manager with opening and closing procedures, cash handling and point-of-sale reconciliation

·       Liaise with the kitchen regarding order timing, special dietary requirements and customer feedback on menu items

Skills and Experience

·       NZ register level 2 or equivalent qualification or at least one year of Previous experience in a similar floor supervisor, senior waiter/waitress or customer service coordinator role within hospitality or retail is required

·       Experience in restaurant environment is an advantage

·       Strong communication and problem-solving skills, with the confidence to handle customer issues independently

·       Excellent customer service skills and a professional, friendly manner

·       Good understanding of food safety, health and safety, and security requirements

·       Ability to remain calm, organised and solutions-focused during busy service periods

·       Availability to work a flexible roster, including weekends and evenings

How to Apply

Please apply online with your CV and a brief cover letter stating which position you are applying for.

Employer Questions

Your application will include the following question(s):

  • Are you a New Zealad resident or citizen?