Energetic Lead Chef — Busy Pub Kitchen

NZ Venue Co LTD; New Zealand; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual bonus up to $20K paid quarterly

Staff discounts across NZ & Australia

NZ Venue Co network benefits

Job summary

Astrolabe Brew Bar in Mount Maunganui is seeking an energetic Head Chef to lead a fast-paced kitchen and drive a standout food offering. The role centers on building a vibrant, high-performing team and delivering top-quality dishes for busy service and late-night trade.

You will mentor a young team, manage daily operations, and control food costs while keeping the local community at the heart of the menu and delivering a consistent, memorable dining experience.

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Head Chef or an established Sous Chef ready to step up.
• Experience working in a busy pub, bar or high-volume hospitality environment.
• Strong understanding of kitchen operations, food costs and labour management.
• Natural leader who mentors a younger team.
• Passionate about food and creating a great kitchen environment.
• Energetic leader who leads by example and gets things done.

Responsibilities

• Leading, developing and motivating a young kitchen team
• Overseeing daily kitchen operations across a busy food offering
• Maintaining consistently high food quality, presentation and kitchen standards
• Driving efficient service across high-volume periods and late-night trade
• Managing food costs, labour, ordering, stock control and kitchen budgets
• Bringing fresh ideas to the menu while delivering food that keeps the local community coming back
• Building a positive, accountable and high-performing kitchen culture

Skills

Leadership

Head Chef Experience

Kitchen operations

Food costs & labour management

Mentoring team

Energetic & hands-on

Job description

Astrolabe Brew Bar in Mount Maunganui is seeking an energetic Head Chef to lead a fast-paced kitchen and drive a standout food offering. The role centers on building a vibrant, high-performing team and delivering top-quality dishes for busy service and late-night trade.

You will mentor a young team, manage daily operations, and control food costs while keeping the local community at the heart of the menu and delivering a consistent, memorable dining experience.