Head Chef: Lead Seasonal Kitchen & Queenstown Dining

Novotel & ibis Balikpapan; Queenstown; Sur place; NZD 90 000 - 150 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Staff meals provided

Uniforms provided

Accor benefits

Parental leave

40 hours per week

Résumé du poste

Novotel Queenstown Lakeside is seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead Elements Restaurant & Lounge, overseeing breakfast through events, with a focus on contemporary seasonal cuisine and strong local connections.

You will drive menu development, cost control, supplier relationships and a hands-on leadership style, while ensuring food safety, quality and a memorable guest experience in Queenstown’s vibrant culinary scene.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as Head Chef or Senior Kitchen Leader.
• Demonstrated history of leading and inspiring high-performing kitchen teams.
• Strong commercial understanding including food and labour cost management.
• Excellent knowledge of food safety systems, FCP and audit/inspection requirements.
• Experience operating in a hotel, high-volume restaurant or multi-outlet environment.
• Strong menu development and costing capability.
• Established knowledge of Queenstown region, producers and suppliers.
• Existing relationships with local suppliers or ability to build them quickly.
• Passion for seasonal, locally sourced produce.
• Good communication and organisational skills.
• Hands-on, visible leadership style.
• Balance of culinary creativity with operational discipline.
• Availability to work weekends and public holidays.

Responsabilités

• Lead and inspire the kitchen team across breakfast, lunch, dinner, lounge, room service and events.
• Set and maintain high standards of food quality, consistency and presentation.
• Develop seasonal menus that showcase Queenstown, Central Otago and wider South Island.
• Build relationships with local producers, growers, farmers, fishermen and suppliers.
• Understand what Queenstown can offer culinarily and translate it into the menu.
• Ensure the kitchen operates efficiently with strong control of costs, labour, purchasing, stock and waste.
• Lead menu costing, recipe development and food margin management.
• Manage rostering, recruitment, training, performance and development.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, hygiene and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain preparedness for food safety inspections, audits and compliance.
• Collaborate with hotel leadership, F&B and Events teams to deliver a seamless guest experience.
• Attend and contribute to meetings on health & safety, revenue management, cost control and performance.
• Champion sustainability, seasonality and responsible sourcing.
• Evolve Novotel Queenstown’s culinary identity and position it as a Queenstown regional expression.

Connaissances

Head chef experience

Team leadership

Cost management

Food safety

Hotel/large venue ops

Menu costing

Local knowledge

Seasonal produce

Supplier relations

Seasonal sourcing

Communication

Hands-on leadership

Commercial creativity

Availability

Description du poste

Novotel Queenstown Lakeside is seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead Elements Restaurant & Lounge, overseeing breakfast through events, with a focus on contemporary seasonal cuisine and strong local connections.

You will drive menu development, cost control, supplier relationships and a hands-on leadership style, while ensuring food safety, quality and a memorable guest experience in Queenstown’s vibrant culinary scene.