Chef: pay, what you do and current jobs
Pūkenga tao kai
Chefs oversee the preparation and cooking of food at restaurants and other places where food is served. They manage menu planning, supplies and kitchen staff.
- Typical full-time pay in NZ$52,000–$77,000 a year (up to $94,000)
- Training0-2 years
- IndustryFood and drink
Pay is for full-time work across New Zealand. Part-time and hourly roles are paid by the hour; check each advert.
10 chef jobs on ManyJobs now
- Chef Position Friday to Monday - Columbus CafeMitre 10 · Hornby, Christchurch
- Cafe Chef - Columbus Coffee GisborneMitre 10 · Gisborne
- Head ChefMitre 10 · Greymouth
- 👨🍳 Cafe Chef (Full-Time) - Columbus Coffee New LynnMitre 10 · New Lynn, Auckland
- Commis ChefHind Management · Christchurch
- Sous ChefHind Management · Auckland
- Chef de PartieHind Management · Auckland
- Sous ChefHind Management · Christchurch
- Demi Chef de PartieHind Management · Christchurch
- Senior Chef de PartieHind Management · Rotorua
What you’d do
- prepare and cook food orders
- plan and create menus
- arrange food on plates
- train kitchen staff
- keep work areas clean
- follow health and safety rules
- order food and equipment
- make sure kitchenware is clean
- decide prices for menu items
- keep records of supplies
Life on the job
Chefs:
- usually work long hours, including evenings and weekends and may be on call
- usually work in café and restaurant kitchens
- may work in hot, smelly and noisy conditions
- need to be organised and work well in a team and under pressure
How to get in
You need experience to become a chef and a qualification may be useful.
You usually don't need specific NCEA levels for this job, but Level 2 may be useful.
You may need:
- experience in similar work
- a New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 3)
- to do entry training in cookery
- a New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 4)
- to do intermediate and advanced training in cookery
Also known as: Sous chef, executive chef, commis chef, chef de partie, personal chef
Get ready to apply
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