Cafe Chef

Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa; Hanmer Springs; On-site; NZD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa in Hanmer Springs, NZ is seeking a passionate Café Chef to join our busy cafe kitchen. Reporting to the Head Chef, you will prepare and cook pizzas, short‑order items, cabinet foods, and baking while contributing to event and function menus.

We’re looking for 1–2 years’ commercial kitchen experience, a focus on quality, presentation, and customer satisfaction, and the ability to work calmly in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1–2 years in a commercial kitchen.
• Experience with pizzas, short-order meals, and cafe foods.
• Passion for food quality and customer service.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook pizzas, short‑order meals, and cafe menu items to a high standard.
• Produce cabinet foods, baking, savories, salads, sandwiches, and desserts.
• Assist with event and function menu planning and prep.
• Maintain food quality, presentation, and kitchen cleanliness.
• Help with stock control, ordering, and waste minimisation.

Skills

Pizza preparation

Short-order cooking

Cafe menu items

Food safety

Job description

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Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa – Hanmer Springs, South Island

Bring your passion for great food to one of New Zealand's most iconic tourism destinations

Located in the heart of the stunning alpine village of Hanmer Springs, Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa is a destination where wellness, connection, and exceptional experiences come together. We are looking for a passionate and experienced Café Chef to join our team and help deliver fresh, high-quality food that keeps our guests coming back.

About the Role

Reporting to the Head Chef, you will play a key role in the day-to-day operation of our busy café kitchen. This hands‑on position involves preparing and cooking a range of café meals, including pizzas, short‑order menu items, cabinet food and baking. You'll also contribute to the development and delivery of special event and function menus throughout the year.

Working closely with the Head Chef and wider kitchen team, you'll help maintain high food quality standards, ensure efficient service, manage stock effectively, and contribute ideas to keep our offerings fresh and exciting.

What You'll Be Doing

• Preparing and cooking pizzas, short‑order meals, and café menu items to a consistently high standard
• Producing cabinet food baking, savories, salads, sandwiches, and desserts.
• Assisting with the planning and preparation of special event, function, and seasonal menus.
• Maintaining exceptional food quality, presentation, and consistency
• Assisting with menu development and function catering ideas
• Ensuring food safety, hygiene, and kitchen cleanliness standards are met
• Supporting stock control, ordering, rotation, and minimising waste
• Working collaboratively with the kitchen and café teams to deliver excellent guest experiences
• Contributing to a positive, professional, and supportive workplace culture

About You

We're looking for someone who:

• Has a minimum of 1–2 years' experience working in a commercial kitchen environment.
• Has experience preparing pizzas, short‑order meals, and café‑style food.
• Is passionate about food quality, presentation, and customer satisfaction.
• Thrives in a fast‑paced kitchen environment and remains calm under pressure.
• Demonstrates strong organisational, communication, and teamwork skills.
• Understands food costs, portion control, and minimising waste.
• Takes pride in maintaining high standards of cleanliness and professionalism.

While 1-2 years experience in a commercial kitchen is preferred, we also welcome applications from candidates who have previous kitchen experience, a strong work ethic, and a genuine passion for food and hospitality.

Why Join Us?

At Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa, you'll be part of a team that is committed to creating enriching experiences for both guests and staff. We offer the opportunity to work in one of New Zealand's most iconic tourism destinations, alongside passionate people who genuinely care about what they do.