Executive Chef - Rydges Rotorua | Full-time

EVT Group; Rotorua; On-site; NZD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dining discount

Movie ticket discounts

Seasonal perks

Career growth

Parental leave

Volunteer opportunities

Job summary

EVT Group's Rydges Rotorua property seeks an Executive Chef to lead Chapman's Restaurant and Bar and the hotel's events kitchen. You will set culinary standards, manage a high-volume buffet operation and partner with the F&B team to deliver memorable dining experiences for guests and events.

The role demands strong kitchen leadership, cost control, and staff development. We offer Day One perks across EVT hotels, career growth, and a welcoming team focused on delivering warm, locally inspired

Qualifications

• Proven experience delivering high-volume buffet services.
• Ability to lead a hotel-style kitchen and manage day-to-day operations.
• Strong knowledge of food safety and HACCP practices.
• Experience rostering and managing kitchen labour to meet service targets.
• Proven ability to manage food cost, labour cost and supplies against budget.
• Strong communication, delegation and team-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate food production across Chapman's Restaurant and Bar and the conference and events offering, maximising quality and profitability
• Lead the delivery of high volume, high quality buffet service, approving all food leaving the kitchen and maintaining standard recipes and production specifications
• Achieve budget targets for food cost, labour cost and operating supplies
• Hire, train and supervise chefs, cooks, kitchen hands and stewards, building a productive and harmonious team
• Ensure food is stored, rotated and prepared safely and hygienically, and that equipment and work areas are clean, safe and well maintained
• Work with the F&B Manager and outlet supervisors to deliver smooth service, resolve guest complaints and keep up to date with menu trends

Skills

High-volume buffet

Kitchen leadership

Food cost management

Labour planning

Food safety knowledge

Menu trend awareness

Communication

Job description

Executive Chef - Rydges Rotorua | Full-time

About EVT:

Rydges Rotorua is part of EVT, one of Australasia's market-leading experience creators offering careers that can take you wherever you want to go across entertainment, ventures, and travel. In a world of cookie cutter experiences, here at EVT we believe in changing the game. It's why we all call ourselves Daymakers: each day is a chance to add the wow factor for our customers and continually grow in our own careers.

Proudly owned and operated in Australia and New Zealand, Rydges offers refreshingly local stays in city, regional and resort-style hotels. We're not just in the neighbourhood, we're part of it. Every hotel is designed for ease, connection and quality. From check-in to check-out, our local heroes bring a can-do attitude and "too easy" service. Whether it's for work or a well-earned break, our place feels like home with the charm of somewhere new. Join us to help make every moment memorable.

EVT has an endless range of roles and career paths to explore across over 140 entertainment experiences like Event Cinemas and Moonlight Cinemas, 150 award winning restaurants and bars, and 80+ hotels, including QT, Rydges, Atura, LyLo, Independent Collection and Australia's most loved year round alpine resort, Thredbo. Our ventures include a ~$2.3B property portfolio and hotel management, just to name a few. Once you're in, there are no limits on where your career could take you.

Role Overview

Rydges Rotorua sits beside the Redwood Forest and overlooks the Whakarewarewa geothermal reserve. As Executive Chef, you will lead the kitchen behind Chapman's Restaurant and Bar and the hotel's strong conference and events offering, which caters for business workshops, large conferences, gala functions and celebrations across a range of flexible venues.

Buffet service is a big part of what we do, so a high volume, high quality buffet experience is essential for this role. You will set the culinary standard, lead a capable kitchen team and work closely with the F&B Manager, outlet supervisors and events team to deliver consistently great food for our guests.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate food production across Chapman's Restaurant and Bar and the conference and events offering, maximising quality and profitability
• Lead the delivery of high volume, high quality buffet service, approving all food leaving the kitchen and maintaining standard recipes and production specifications
• Achieve budget targets for food cost, labour cost and operating supplies
• Hire, train and supervise chefs, cooks, kitchen hands and stewards, building a productive and harmonious team
• Ensure food is stored, rotated and prepared safely and hygienically, and that equipment and work areas are clean, safe and well maintained
• Work with the F&B Manager and outlet supervisors to deliver smooth service, resolve guest complaints and keep up to date with menu trends

What You’ll Bring

• Essential: proven experience delivering a high volume, high quality buffet experience
• Proven ability to lead and run a hotel or large-scale kitchen day to day
• Strong culinary skills, with a focus on quality, consistency and current menu trends
• Sound knowledge of food safety, hygiene and occupational health and safety practices
• Experience rostering and managing kitchen labour to meet service and financial targets
• Confidence managing food cost, labour cost and supplies against budget
• Strong communication skills and the ability to delegate, coach and build a team
• A commitment to hotel grooming standards and attending scheduled meetings

How You Work

• Inclusive leader: values diverse perspectives; builds belonging.
• Hands-on and non-hierarchical: leads from the front.
• Resilient and solutions-focused: stays calm, moves fast.
• Growth mindset: learns, shares, and levels up others.

Perks from Day One

As part of EVT, you unlock Elevate Perks from your first day. Parity for all levels, no ivory towers.

• 50% off dining and stays across EVT hotels, including QT, Rydges, Atura, LyLo and more.
• $2 movie tickets plus discounts on Gold Class, Moonlight Cinema and Candy Bar.
• Seasonal perks at Thredbo.
• Rapid career growth across our hotel and entertainment network.
• Paid parental leave; community and volunteering opportunities.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds

Join and make a positive impact on our people, communities, and environment every day.