Head Chef in Christchurch

The Head Chef is responsible for leading all kitchen operations at the Christchurch Adventure Park café, ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality food, strong food safety and health and safety compliance, and effective kitchen leadership. The role combines hands-on food production with team management, menu development, and operational oversight within a high-volume, fast-paced hospitality environment. The role plays a key part in establishing and maintaining Christchurch Adventure Park’s reputation as a destination café and in supporting exceptional visitor experiences through quality, consistency, and professionalism.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all kitchen operations, ensuring efficient, safe, and high-quality food service.
• Establish and maintain a strong reputation for excellent food quality, presentation, and consistency.
• Lead, roster, train, and develop a committed and professional kitchen team.
• Work at a consistently high pace in a high-turnover kitchen environment while maintaining high standards.
• Develop menus in collaboration with the Café Manager, contributing to the positioning of Christchurch Adventure Park as a destination café.
• Plan, implement, and review menu changes, including pricing, portion control, and cabinet presentation.
• Maintain a strong focus on food safety and health and safety, ensuring all records are completed accurately and kept up to date.
• Ensure correct food handling, dating, rotation, and storage to maintain freshness and minimise waste.
• Maintain a clean, organised, and safe kitchen environment at all times.
• Order supplies, manage stock levels, undertake stocktakes, and support pricing negotiations as required.
• Monitor portion control, manage wastage, and contribute to cost control initiatives.
• Train and induct new kitchen staff and support ongoing capability development.
• Contribute new ideas, menu concepts, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Work alongside the Café Manager to support functions, group bookings, and peak service demands.
• Maintain a professional and respectful approach with customers and colleagues at all times.
• Participate in all aspects of kitchen work as required, from preparation through to service and clean-down.
• Undertake other duties reasonably required to support café and visitor operations.

Professional Requirements

• Proven experience as a Senior Chef or Head Chef in a commercial kitchen environment, with a minimum of five years’ relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading, managing, and developing kitchen teams.
• Strong ability to deliver consistent, high-quality food in fast-paced, high-volume environments.
• Flair for casual plating, cabinet presentation, and menu execution.
• Demonstrated experience in menu planning, pricing, and cost control.
• Sound knowledge of food safety legislation, health and safety requirements, and compliance systems.
• Ability to perform well under pressure, multitask effectively, and meet service deadlines.
• Strong organisational skills, time management, and punctuality.
• High standards of food hygiene, cleanliness, and personal presentation.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a wider café leadership team.
• Positive attitude and professional approach, with a good sense of humour.
• Passion for delivering high-quality food and positive visitor experiences.
• Willingness to work evenings, weekends, and public holidays as required.
• Clear written and spoken English communication skills.
• Legal right to work in New Zealand for the duration of employment.

Christchurch Adventure Park is committed to:

• Delivering high-quality, memorable visitor experiences.
• Working collaboratively as a team across diverse roles.
• Operating safely, responsibly, and professionally.
• Creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for staff and visitors alike.

The Head Chef is expected to uphold and model these values in all aspects of their work.

How to Apply

If you send a CV and a cover letter to us, outlining your fit for the role and why you want to work at CAP (not a generic "fire-off the CV" approach) then you’re miles ahead of other candidates… just saying!! If this sounds like somewhere you’d like to work then we would love to hear from you. Please send your CV and cover letter clearly stating what role you are applying for.