Head Chef

Head Chef | The Stoaker Room Wānaka

Wild Earth Wines T/A The Stoaker Room

Wānaka, Central Otago

The team behind The Stoaker Room Cromwell and Wānaka, and home of Wild Earth Wines, has a rare opportunity for an experienced Head Chef to join our Wānaka restaurant.

Learn the Art of Barrel Cuisine

The Stoaker Room is renowned for its unique cooking style, where dishes are prepared using custom-built French oak Pinot Noir barrel cookers. These one-of-a-kind vessels steam, bake, grill, and smoke locally sourced ingredients to create unforgettable flavours and dining experiences.

We are seeking a passionate, experienced, and well-rounded Head Chef who is excited by the opportunity to lead a kitchen in a truly distinctive hospitality environment.

What We Offer

• Full-time permanent position
• Guaranteed minimum of 30 hours per week
• Additional hours available during our busy catering and tourism season (October to April)
• Competitive pay of approximately $40 per hour, depending on experience
• Comprehensive training in our unique barrel cooking system
• Opportunity to work with a respected Central Otago hospitality and wine business

About the Role

Reporting to the Restaurant Operations Manager and Hospitality & Operations Manager, the Head Chef is responsible for overseeing all kitchen operations and maintaining high standards of food quality, safety, and team performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate and oversee daily kitchen operations
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, health, and safety regulations
• Assist with menu development, planning, and costing in conjunction with senior management
• Monitor product quality and identify opportunities for innovation and seasonal menu development
• Manage supplier relationships and maintain food costs within agreed KPI targets
• Ensure kitchen equipment and facilities are maintained in a safe and operational condition
• Demonstrate strong knowledge of local and international food and beverage trends
• Monitor budgets and analyse financial performance to support profitability goals
• Contribute to the development and implementation of kitchen policies and procedures
• Recruit, train, mentor, and support kitchen team members
• Maintain consistency in food presentation, quality, and service standards

Experience and Skills Required

• Minimum 2 years' experience as a Head Chef, or substantial experience in a senior kitchen leadership role
• Proven ability to lead, train, and motivate a kitchen team
• Strong understanding of food safety and health and safety requirements
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment
• Availability to work a rostered schedule between Monday and Sunday, 9:30am to 10:00pm

Advantageous

• Full New Zealand driver's licence
• Experience in catering, functions, or high-volume hospitality operations

If you are looking for a leadership role that offers something genuinely different and the opportunity to develop your skills in a unique culinary environment in beautiful Wānaka, we would love to hear from you.