Culinary Tutor

NZMA; Hamilton; On-site; NZD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekend off

Work‑life balance

Campus growth

No micro‑management

Diverse environment

Job summary

New Zealand Management Academies (NZMA) Hamilton Campus is seeking a Culinary Tutor to deliver the Level 4 Cookery programme and mentor students. You will help learners develop practical skills, navigate safety practices, and connect classroom learning with industry standards in a supportive environment.

Applicants should have strong cookery experience, a Level 5+ qualification, and a passion for sharing knowledge with diverse learners.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years' recent experience within the cookery or culinary industry.
• Strong practical cooking skills and broad culinary industry knowledge.
• Ability to convey knowledge effectively to diverse learners.

Responsibilities

• Deliver the Level 4 Cookery programme and assess student progress.
• Mentor students and connect learning with industry opportunities.
• Create an engaging learning environment emphasizing safety and professionalism.
• Work with industry partners to provide real‑world exposure for learners.
• Support students to prepare for internships and future employment.

Skills

Cookery experience

Student mentoring

Education

Level 5+ tertiary qualification

Job description

New Zealand Management Academies (NZMA) is NZ's largest Private Training Establishment offering vocational courses and qualifications across a range of programmes. With authentic training environments, well-designed programmes and a fun and supportive learning environment, we have a mission to make a meaningful difference in the lives of all our students.

Our organisation is strong on developing our people and having fun while we do it. We strive for success in everything we do with the strongest integrity. We ensure our team feels valued and informed about the direction we are heading in through in‑house training days and our annual conference.

To find out more about us, please visit https://www.nzma.ac.nz/

Job Description

Culinary Tutor

Location: Hamilton

Full-time | Permanent | NZMA Hamilton Campus

About the role:

As a Culinary Tutor, you’ll play an important role in developing the next generation of culinary professionals, delivering our Level 4 Cookery programme and supporting students as they build the skills and knowledge needed for a successful career in the industry.

Drawing on your own culinary experience, you’ll share your skills, knowledge and industry insights to create an engaging and supportive environment where students can grow their technical ability, confidence and professionalism. You’ll work with students from a range of backgrounds, helping them develop the practical skills they need to successfully complete their studies and prepare for their next step into the culinary industry.

As part of the role, you’ll support students to build their knowledge and practical skills across areas including:

• Preparing and presenting a range of complex dishes using different cookery techniques.
• Food safety, hygiene and best practice within a commercial kitchen environment.
• Safe and effective knife handling and other essential kitchen skills.
• Working confidently with a range of ingredients, including meat and fresh seafood.
• Developing communication, teamwork and professionalism in the kitchen.
• Understanding current culinary practices and expectations within the industry.
• Building confidence and preparing for internships and future employment opportunities.

Beyond the kitchen, you’ll be an inspiring mentor who helps students connect their learning with the wider industry. You’ll work alongside industry partners to create opportunities for real‑world exposure and help students understand what it takes to build a successful career in the culinary industry.

Qualifications

About you:

You’ll bring strong industry experience and a genuine passion for sharing your knowledge with the next generation of culinary professionals. With recent experience in the cookery industry, you’ll be confident bringing real‑world knowledge, techniques and industry insights into the learning environment.

You’ll be a positive and engaging communicator who can connect with students from a range of backgrounds, build strong relationships and create a supportive environment where learners feel encouraged to develop their skills and achieve their goals.

To be successful in this role, you’ll bring:

• At least 5 years' recent experience within the cookery or culinary industry
• A relevant tertiary qualification at Level 5 or above
• Strong practical cooking skills and broad culinary industry knowledge
• Experience and knowledge across food, beverage and hospitality environments
• The ability to engage, encourage and support students from diverse backgrounds
• A positive, enthusiastic and adaptable approach to learning and development
• A genuine passion for sharing your industry knowledge and helping aspiring chefs succeed

Formal teaching experience isn’t essential. If you’re an experienced culinary professional who enjoys sharing your knowledge and helping others develop, we’d love to hear from you.

Additional Information

Why work with us?

• Enjoy Work-life balance with weekends off!
• Our organisation is strong on developing our people and having fun while we do it. We ensure our team feels valued and informed about the direction we are heading in.
• Rewarding opportunity to support students in their education journey
• Energetic environment where value is placed on delivering outcomes rather than micro‑managing tasks
• Work with the Campus Manager to see the NZMA Campus grow and be highly successful.
• A fun environment and an opportunity to stand out is all on offer with this role

Questions about your identity help us appreciate the diversity of individuals looking to work with us, ensuringwe'reattracting applications from people with identities and perspectives that are as diverse as our students.

We are an equal opportunity employer. As part of our commitment to equity, we work to ensure a fair and consistent interview process. We celebrate diversity and we are committed to an inclusive work environment.