What you’ll be doing | Te whakamahere
We are looking for an experienced and motivated Head Chef to help establish and lead the kitchen operations for a new café at Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Reporting to and working closely with the Hospitality Manager, you will play a key role in setting up the new hospitality operation, developing the food offering, establishing kitchen systems and building a capable and positive team.
You will take day-to-day ownership of the kitchen across café, events and functions, while supporting the Hospitality Manager’s overall vision and direction for the hospitality department.
In this permanent 40 hour role, your responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
Kitchen Operations and Leadership
- Supporting the Hospitality Manager with the setup and opening of the new café
- Establishing kitchen systems, procedures and service standards
- Recruiting, inducting, training and developing kitchen staff
- Leading the daily operation of the café and events kitchens
- Maintaining a calm, organised, safe and professional kitchen environment
- Working closely with the Café Team Leader to deliver a coordinated hospitality service
Menu Development and Food Quality
- Developing café, event and function menus that are high quality, commercially viable and operationally achievable
- Creating food offerings that reflect the mana, identity and values of Waitangi Treaty Grounds
- Maintaining consistent standards for food quality, presentation, portioning and service
- Preparing recipes, menu costings and production standards
- Identifying opportunities to use seasonal and local produce and incorporate distinctive Waitangi food experiences
Events and Functions
- Planning and leading kitchen delivery for events, conferences, weddings, group bookings and functions
- Working with the Hospitality Manager and Events team to confirm menus, guest numbers, dietary requirements, timings and production needs
- Coordinating two service kitchens (café and event) when multiple services are operating
- Leading kitchen delivery during major events and Waitangi Day commemorations
- Providing menu costings and operational input to support event pricing and planning
Food Safety, Inventory and Financial Controls
- Ensuring food safety, hygiene, allergen and regulatory requirements are consistently met
- Preparing the kitchen and records for audits, inspections and verification
- Managing kitchen stock, ordering, deliveries and inventory
- Managing food costs, portion control and kitchen expenditure within approved budgets
What you’ll need to be successful | Ō Pūkenga
This role will suit a hands on and values led chef who enjoys building teams, creating effective systems and setting high standards from the beginning. Ideally you will have:
- Proven experience as a Head Chef, Senior Sous Chef or in an equivalent senior kitchen leadership role within a busy cafe, restaurant or event catering business.
- Strong people leadership, coaching and team-development skills
- Experience developing menus, recipes, portion standards and food costings
- Strong knowledge of New Zealand food safety requirements and Food Control Plan management
- Experience with stock control, purchasing, inventory and waste management
- Excellent planning, organisation and problem-solving skills
- The ability to remain calm and lead effectively during busy services and major events
- A recognised culinary qualification or equivalent industry experience
- Relevant food safety qualifications
- A current first aid certificate, or willingness to obtain one
- Flexibility to work weekends and public holidays, as required.
What’s next | Te ara ki tua
If this sounds like the opportunity for you we would love to hear from you. Interested applicants, please upload your Cover Letter and CV addressed to Liz Kilby, People & Governance Coordinator, by 20 August 2026.
