Head Chef

Sawmill Brewery is situated north of Auckland in beautiful Matakana, a welcoming community in a stunning environment. Sawmill is proud to be New Zealand’s first and only B Corp certified brewery - working to transform the global economy to benefit all people, communities, and the planet.

The Smoko Room is our onsite eatery and bar with a focus on the best local ingredients and a high level of service. We are seeking a permanent full-time Head Chef for the Smoko Room Restaurant.

OVERVIEW

As Head Chef, you have a pivotal role within Smoko Room operations. You will bring your passion and love for food and cooking into your everyday conduct. As well as having creative input into menu design and development, you are responsible for contributing to a positive, welcoming environment in the kitchen, where other team members feel good about coming to work. Your communication will be excellent, to ensure all those you interact with feel respected in their roles and in themselves. You will contribute to maintaining a clean and well-functioning kitchen. Your food will be cooked and presented to a high standard.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Identifying, developing, and maintaining kitchen policies and procedures.
• Ensuring all dishes that leave the kitchen are prepared, portioned, and plated consistently even in your absence.
• Imparting knowledge, skills, and training to all kitchen staff to ensure high standards.
• Having in-depth knowledge of the dishes served on the menu (ingredients, process, and plating).
• Submitting cost proposals for menu items.
• Designing and developing new dishes and special menus.
• Minimising food waste, and actively seeking solutions to help us achieve our waste goals.
• Communicating effectively and in a timely manner with the General Manager if any maintenance issues need to be addressed.
• Ordering and maintaining inventory to ensure efficient operations.
• Having an excellent working knowledge of all rubbish and waste systems and ensuring these are being adhered to by all staff.
• Setting and maintaining excellent standards for food safety.
• Ensuring Health and Safety regulations are adhered to and staff all practise these.
• Managing and maintaining records using Food Safe Pro App.
• Contributing to upholding staff morale and to creating a positive working environment for kitchen staff members.
• Taking customer allergies seriously and ensuring you and your team have excellent knowledge regarding all dishes prepared in the kitchen.
• Ensuring staff meals are made as per Sawmill policies.
• Any other duties the employer / manager may reasonably require.

PREFERRED COMPETENCIES TECHNICAL:

• New Zealand Certificate (level 4) in Cookery or equivalent.
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience as a head chef.
• Food safety course within the past 3 years.
• Training Skills.
• Organisational and time management skills.

INTERPERSONAL & PERSONAL SKILLS:

• Creativity and passion.
• Ability to track expenses and manage a budget.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
• Problem-solving ability to successfully resolve any issues than arise.
• Ability to delegate and give instructions.
• Committed to the team, establishment, and excellence.
• Positive attitude.
• Ability to work competently under pressure.
• Reliable and flexible to change.

DETAILS

• Full time hours to start immediately.
• Flexible roster, Monday to Sunday 9am - 10pm.
• Weekend work required.
• Pay competitive and based on experience.

We are only able to accept New Zealand based applicants, or those already holding a relevant visa.

To apply, please email [email protected] with your CV and cover letter.

Sawmill Brewery + Smoko Room is dedicated to encouraging a supportive and inclusive culture across our whole team. We aim to create an environment in which individual differences and the ways in which everyone contributes is recognised and valued. We want a team that is diverse, promotes positivity, and instils a can-do attitude in everyone, no matter their background or characteristics. We believe we are all responsible and accountable for creating an inclusive culture and we have an obligation to champion diversity and inclusion in our community.