Army - Chef (Caterer)

Defence Technology Agency; Waiouru; On-site; NZD 62,894 - 76,871; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free access to gyms and pools

Opportunities to travel

Subsidised medical and dental care

Subsidised food and accommodation

Free and subsidised insurance cover

Job summary

Defence Technology Agency is seeking NZ Army Chefs in Waiouru, New Zealand. This vital role involves providing nutritious meals to soldiers using culinary and service skills. Candidates must be 18 years old upon graduation from the recruit course and should possess skills in logistics and planning. You will receive Chef qualifications and experience diverse catering environments, from camps to overseas operations. A competitive salary starts at $69,883, with potential earnings of up to $98,000.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years old by recruit course graduation.
• Ability to cater for large groups.
• Experience in food hygiene and safety.

Responsibilities

• Provide well-balanced meals for NZDF personnel.
• Prepare intricate dishes for formal events.
• Manage kitchen and bar facilities.

Skills

Culinary arts

Front-of-house service

Logistics and planning

Nutritional balance

Teamwork

Education

Chef qualifications

Job description

NZ Army Chefs fulfil one of the most vital roles in keeping our soldiers sustained, healthy and happy. Trained in both culinary arts and front‑of‑house service, you are responsible for the consistent delivery of tasty, nutritious meals, using both your technical and creative skills.

About the role

Hospitality

Entry type

General entry

Under training

$69,883

Location

Army Chefs (Caterers) are responsible for consistently providing NZDF personnel with well‑balanced nutritious meals that will sustain them through arduous activities. You will interact with people from all ranks, trades and units within the organisation, whether you're utilising your catering skills at home in the mess (dining hall), overseas on operations, or during domestic and international culinary competitions.

You’ll be taught all you need to know to operate effectively in a small catering team, fulfilling cooking and canteen service duties while working in a range of environments from full kitchen/dining facilities in camp to a tented field kitchen on exercise.

You will earn Chefs qualifications, train as a barista and have the opportunity to gain knowledge in other catering areas such as: event management, basic contracts and procurement, auditing and food inspection.

Requirements

Basics

• Must be 18 years old by the time you graduate from recruit course.

Note, qualifications may be used to assess trade suitability.

This is a Return of Service Obligation (ROSO), which includes the following for the Caterer trade:

• 12 months Return of Service for D15011 NZDF Chef Intermediate Course or
• 18 months Return of Service for D15012 NZDF Chef Senior Course

We offer guidance on entry requirements in our eligibility section. Apply if you're uncertain, as we’ll work through the criteria with you to determine if you can proceed.

I love the diversity that we get in the NZDF. One day I could be doing a regular meal, the next day I could be running a formal dinner and the week after I could be up in Waiouru's training area.

Job on base

Your daily task is to cater for large groups (varying from 80 to 800), using your logistics and planning skills to create menus that provide nutritional balance over sustained periods. At times you will cater for smaller groups, for example during formal dinners, where you’ll have an opportunity to create more intricate dishes. You may also be employed in managing bar and kitchen facilities.

You can expect to rotate through placements in either a soldiers, senior ranks, or officers mess within any one of the NZ Army camps. You will sometimes be cooking and providing table service for visiting dignitaries and other VIP guests, or provide bar support during functions.

Your core work hours are an 8 hour shift, ‘early’ shift starting around 5am, and ‘late’ shift finishing around 7.30pm. Further hours are required to provide support for formal dining and functions.

Job on deployment

Good meals and canteen services have a huge influence on the morale and well‑being of deployed personnel, as this is when soldiers relax and receive the nutrition required to maintain operational effectiveness. While our personnel face unfamiliar environments and challenging conditions, your role as chef and the quality and thoughtful planning of your meals have a wider, positive impact.

Depending on the operational situation, you may be required to set up kitchens, or to maintain and improve kitchen, dining and recreational facilities. Your role may extend to other duties outside the kitchen such as sourcing produce and maintaining hygiene standards.

Chefs deploy with large contingents on various overseas operations. In the past, this has included Bosnia, Bougainville, East Timor, Dubai, Iraq and Afghanistan. There are opportunities to participate in exchange programmes to Australia and small exercises in the Pacific, or to work onboard Navy ships.

Upon successful enlistment into the Army you will be posted to Waiouru Army base. Here you will do 16 weeks of basic military training to find out if you have what it takes to be in the Army, and learn various subjects including:

• Organisation and Administration
• Army Customs and Protocol
• Drill and Parades
• Military Field Skills and Weapon Training

Earn a competitive salary while training or learning your trade, along with additional allowances for time spent in the field, at sea, overseas, or deployed on operations.

In addition to salary and allowances, other benefits of joining the New Zealand Defence Force include:

• Access to your Service marae or tūrangawaewae
• Sponsored tertiary study programmes at all levels
• Free access to gyms and swimming pools on camp and bases
• Opportunities to travel
• Free and subsidised medical and dental care
• Subsidised food and accommodation on camps and bases
• Subsidised insurance cover

Chefs in the Army are well‑rewarded, diverse and exciting. As you become more experienced and move up through the ranks, gaining additional skills and qualifications, your salary will rise accordingly.

Under training

$69,883

Future potential earnings

$98,000

Am I fit enough?

If you want to be part of the NZ Defence Force you need to be medically and physically fit for military duties worldwide.

Your step‑by‑step guide on what to expect at various stages of the application process, specifically for military roles.

Chefs are responsible for the whole range of Navy’s catering requirements. As a Chef you could be cooking three to four meals a day for hungry ships’ companies or catering for official functions.

General entry

General entry

Experience a variety of Naval life as you work in the Officers’ Messes both at sea and ashore. Provide first‑class service at everything from Formal events to diplomatic functions.