Sous Chef

About Us

Mt Difficulty is Central Otago's leading artisan winegrower with a pioneering Bannockburn heritage. Our world-class Pinot Noir and warm hospitality captures the essence of the region. Our Cellar Door & Restaurant is an iconic Central Otago destination that welcomes everyone from locals to international guests to experience exquisite food and sensational wine whilst, soaking up the spectacular views of Bannockburn and beyond.

About this Role

Be part of a unique experience - we are world famous for our relaxed atmosphere, exceptional service and delicious modern regional New Zealand cuisine that complements our exceptional wines.

We are looking for a qualified all-rounder to take on a Sous Chef role to assist with the management and development of the Culinary Team to deliver a menu of uncomplicated excellence showcasing the best of the Otago region.

This is a full-time permanent role, working a minimum of 30 hours rostered over 5 days, weekends included.  In this role you will report to the Head Chef and work closely day-to-day with the Venue Manager and Cellar Door & Restaurant Team.  We offer a competitive pay rate and depending on experience, pay between $34 - $36 per hour.  Our restaurant is currently open 5 days for lunch service, leaving your evenings free to enjoy time with friends and family.

As part of the Foley Wines Group, you’ll have opportunities to develop your hospitality career across a network that includes The Runholder in Martinborough.  You’ll be part of a supportive and collaborative team that values growth and innovation.

About you:

You’ll bring proven experience working in a busy kitchen environment, with a strong understanding of modern cuisine and a passion for quality and consistency.  You’ll be confident leading by example and supporting the Head Chef to deliver exceptional dining experiences.

We’re looking for someone who has:

·       Demonstrated experience in a kitchen or culinary team, ideally in a leadership or supervisory capacity

·       A Culinary Arts qualification or New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 4), or equivalent along with NZQA Food Safety & Hygiene certification

·       A commitment to ongoing professional and personal development

·       Excellent communication skills, sound judgment and the ability to remain calm and focused under pressure

·       A positive, can-do attitude with the ability to motivate, guide and inspire others

·       Strong organisational and commercial awareness and is motivated by achieve results

·       Genuine passion for culinary excellence and creating memorable food experiences

Key responsibilities:

In this hands-on role, you’ll support the Head Chef in leading daily kitchen operations, ensuring consistently high standards of food quality, presentation and safety.  You’ll play a key part in developing the team, maintaining a positive kitchen culture, and contributing to the overall success of the food service.

You will:

·       Assist the Head Chef in planning preparing and executing menus to a high standard

·       Oversee day to day kitchen operations, ensuring service runs smoothly and efficiently

·       Supervise, train and motivate kitchen staff to uphold quality safety and teamwork standards

·       Ensure all food is prepared, stored and served in accordance with food safety and hygiene regulations

·       Contribute to menu development, costing and inventory management to support commercial goals

·       Maintain a clean organised and compliant kitchen environment

·       Support stock control, ordering and supplier relationships to minimise waste and manage costs effectively

·       Step into the Head Chef role during periods of absence, ensuring continuity of leadership and operations

We love Central Otago, and we love creating memorable food and wine experiences. If you share our passion, we would love to hear from you.  Please send in a copy of your CV using the link.

This is a permanent position and not suitable for Working Holiday visa holders. All applicants for this role must be able to work in New Zealand.

If you are interested in joining us, please get in touch by emailing [email protected].

About Foley Wines

Mt Difficulty is part of Foley Wines, a collection of iconic wineries and brands including Te Kairanga, Martinborough Vineyard, Vavasour, Grove Mill and Lighthouse Gin. Each with a unique story to tell, our wineries and destinations are linked by a common unrelenting purpose; to create memorable wine and dining experiences at home and around the world.