Chef - Auckland

ABI Rehabilitation New Zealand; Auckland; On-site; NZD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Auckland Intensive Rehabilitation is seeking a dedicated Chef to lead our inpatient kitchen, delivering nutritious, high-quality meals that support recovery and independence for our ABI clients. You’ll work with the head chef, clinicians, and dietitian to ensure safe, person-centred nutrition in a 36-bed unit.

Join a values-driven team committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, equity, and culturally safe practice.

Qualifications

• Experienced Chef ready to lead.
• Passionate about quality food and making a positive impact on people’s lives.
• Strong team player with excellent communication skills.
• Healthcare or similar experience is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day kitchen operations, maintaining high standards of food quality and safety
• Plan and prepare menus that support rehabilitation, recovery, and overall wellbeing
• Deliver meals tailored to a wide range of dietary and texture-modified requirements
• Work collaboratively with clinical teams to ensure safe and appropriate nutrition
• Promote dignity, choice, and independence through food

Skills

Leadership

Menu planning

Nutrition awareness

Job description

Auckland Intensive Rehabilitation

Chef – Make Every Meal Matter

Bring your culinary talent to a role with purpose, heart, and real impact. Join our specialist Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) rehabilitation service, where nutritious, high-quality meals support recovery, dignity, and independence. As our Chef, you’ll help deliver meals that make a real difference for clients and their whānau.

You’ll work with the head chef, speech language therapists, dietitian, and wider interdisciplinary team to provide safe, person-centred meals, including texture-modified diets and specialised nutrition.

Why You’ll Love This Role: Based in our 36-bed inpatient rehabilitation unit, you’ll bring flexibility, organisation, and teamwork to meet changing occupancy and individual client needs.

What You’ll Do

• Lead day-to-day kitchen operations, maintaining high standards of food quality and safety
• Plan and prepare menus that support rehabilitation, recovery, and overall wellbeing
• Deliver meals tailored to a wide range of dietary and texture-modified requirements
• Work collaboratively with clinical teams to ensure safe and appropriate nutrition
• Promote dignity, choice, and independence through food

Your Dietary Expertise

• Texture-modified diets (e.g. pureed, minced and moist, soft diets)
• Gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, and sugar-free diets
• Managing complex and individualised dietary needs in a healthcare setting

What You’ll Bring

• Experienced Chef ready to lead
• Passionate about quality food and making a positive impact on people’s lives
• Strong team player with excellent communication skills
• Healthcare or similar experience is advantageous

Our commitment: We honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and are committed to equity, culturally safe practice, and better health outcomes for Māori and all communities we serve.

Ready to make every meal matter? Join our values-driven team and support recovery through great food.

Interested? For more information, please contact Louise Kelly, Nursing Services Manager, on [phone].