Kitchen Hand - Central Otago - Summer 2026/2027

Cloudy Bay; Cromwell Community; Hybrid; NZD 28,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wine and merchandise discounts

Staff events

Vineyard work environment

Wellbeing and safety culture

Job summary

Cloudy Bay is seeking a motivated Kitchen Hand to assist our Chef and Sous Chef in a busy kitchen. You will rapidly take direction, contribute to consistent dish quality, and uphold health and safety standards.

The role runs through the summer season, with open hours Wednesday to Sunday, requiring weekend and public holiday availability from December 2026 to April 2027. Enjoy a stunning vineyard environment with staff events and generous discounts on wine, food, and merchandise.

Qualifications

• Eagerness to support and be part of a strong team.
• Awareness of manual handling techniques.
• Able to work autonomously and deliver quality work.
• Honest and deliberate communication with a team-first mindset.
• High energy and proactive approach with attention to detail.
• Physical ability to stand for long periods and knife handling.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Chef and Sous Chef with daily food prep.
• Ensure all dishes are processed efficiently and meet high standards.
• Maintain health and safety and food hygiene practices.
• Monitor food quality and maintain consistent standards.
• Assist with stock arrivals and put-away processes.
• Support the kitchen team during busy periods and weekends.

Skills

Team player

Fast learner

Autonomous work

Attention to detail

Effective communicator

Knife skills

Job description

The summer season is coming!

We’re looking for an enthusiastic Kitchen Hand to support our Chef and Sous Chef in the kitchen. You will need to be a quick thinker, and efficient at taking direction and responding quickly to whatever support is required.

We open five days per week (Wed – Sun), so the successful applicant will need to be available to work weekends and public holidays from December 2026 to end of April 2027.

Your day-to-day will include:

• Assisting the Chef / Sous Chef with prepping food for each day
• Ensuring all dishes are processed efficiently and to a high standard
• Being aware of health and safety
• Learning and understanding food hygiene practices
• Ensuring food quality and excellent standards are maintained for all dishes created
• Assisting with stock arrivals and putting away

Ideally, you will need:

• Eagerness to support and be part of a strong team
• Awareness of manual handling techniques
• Able to work autonomously and deliver quality work
• An honest and deliberate approach to communication, with a team-first mindset
• High energy and a positive, pro-active approach with attention to detail
• Physical aptitudes: standing on feet all day, knife skill
• Legal rights to work in New Zealand (no visa sponsorship available for these positions)

• Reliable daytime hours (open five days a week, Wednesday to Sunday)
• A stunning work environment, surrounded by vineyards with breathtaking mountain views
• Generous discounts on wine, food, and merchandise at the cellar door and restaurant
• A positive and supportive team culture, with an emphasis on employee inclusion, wellbeing, and health & safety
• A forward-thinking, structured professional environment
• Staff events and team experiences