Commis Chef

Amisfield; Queenstown; On-site; NZD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free parking on-site

Healthcare cover

Staff discounts on products andervices

Job summary

Amisfield in Queenstown, New Zealand, is seeking a passionate Commis Chef to join its dynamic kitchen team. You will help prepare and plate dishes, learn under senior chefs, and contribute to the high standards of NZ cuisine that Amisfield is famed for.

Ideal candidates have some kitchen experience, a culinary qualification, strong knife skills, and a willingness to develop in a hatted, award-winning environment. NZ residency or valid work permit preferred.

Qualifications

• Experience in a professional kitchen, ideally in a high-quality or hatted establishment.
• Culinary qualification from a reputable culinary school (or currently working towards one).
• Strong basic cookery skills and good knife skills.
• Willingness to learn and develop under the guidance of senior chefs.
• Ability to assist in the preparation and service of high-quality dishes.
• Comfort working in an open kitchen environment and interacting with guests when required.
• Excellent time management and the ability to stay calm within a busy, demanding kitchen environment.
• Strong work ethic and commitment to teamwork.
• Passion for New Zealand cuisine and an understanding of local and seasonal produce.
• NZ citizenship/residency or a valid work permit preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the preparation and service of high-quality dishes.
• Support the Chef de Partie and wider team.
• Interact with guests when required.
• Maintain excellent time management and stay calm in a busy kitchen.
• Contribute to a dynamic, fast-paced kitchen environment and teamwork.

Skills

Professional kitchen experience

Knife skills

Willingness to learn

Assisting in prep and service

Open kitchen interaction

Time management

Teamwork

NZ cuisine passion

NZ citizenship/ residency preferred

Education

Culinary qualification

Job description

About Amisfield

Situated on the shores of Lake Hayes with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains, Amisfield is an award-winning restaurant and organic winery, set across a breathtaking 5-hectare property in Queenstown, New Zealand.

Internationally celebrated for its unique expression of place, Amisfield has been named to the Extended List – World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025, and ranked #3 on Food & Wine’s Top International Restaurant List. It has also been awarded 3 Hats by the Cuisine Good Food Awards for four consecutive years, and recognised with the World’s Best Dining Experience by The Best Chef Awards.

Amisfield’s culinary philosophy is rooted in storytelling, drawing on the landscapes, wild ingredients, and cultural narratives of Aotearoa. The experience is finished with curated wine pairings from our single-estate, organic vineyard nestled beneath the Pisa Range.

We are currently recruiting for a passionate Commis Chef wanting to cook great food within New Zealand's best restaurant.

About you:

As a Commis Chef, you will bring enthusiasm, professionalism and a genuine desire to learn to your role, while being mindful, precise and passionate about both the place you work and the job you do.

Ideally, you will have:

• Some experience in a professional kitchen, ideally in a high-quality or hatted establishment
• A culinary qualification from a reputable culinary school (or currently working towards one)
• Strong basic cookery skills and good knife skills
• A willingness to learn and develop under the guidance of senior chefs
• The ability to assist in the preparation and service of high-quality dishes
• Confidence working within a section while supporting the Chef de Partie and wider team
• Comfort working in an open kitchen environment and interacting with guests when required
• Excellent time management and the ability to stay calm within a busy, demanding kitchen environment
• A strong work ethic and commitment to teamwork
• Passion for New Zealand cuisine and an understanding of local and seasonal produce
• 6 months relevant experience preferred, ideally with NZ cuisine
• NZ citizenship/residency or a valid work permit preferred

This role is ideal for someone looking to grow their career in a dynamic, fast-paced kitchen while contributing to an exceptional dining experience.

Successful candidates will be offered competitive remuneration, great full-time working hours (min 30 per week) and the opportunity to progress in their career.

And there’s a barrel of additional benefits to working as part of this team – You won’t be fighting the traffic, there’s free parking on-site, healthcare cover, and staff discounts on our products and services.

If you are interested in joining our team, we would love to hear from you.