Navy - Chef

Defence Technology Agency; Devonport-Takapuna; On-site; NZD 62,849 - 76,816; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free medical and dental care

Access to gym facilities

Sponsored tertiary study programmes

Job summary

The Defence Technology Agency is seeking a Navy Chef responsible for catering to the Navy's requirements, including cooking for official functions and serving personnel at sea and ashore.

Ideal candidates will undergo initial training, followed by postings to various galleys, with promotions based on performance. The position offers a salary of $69,833, with future potential earnings reaching up to $98,000.

Additional benefits include free medical care, subsidized food, and opportunities for sponsored education.

Qualifications

• Must have a passion for cooking and catering in various environments.
• Ability to work long hours and shifts, including weekends and nights.
• Medically and physically fit for military duties.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook meals for Navy personnel onboard and ashore.
• Cater for official functions including cocktail parties and formal dinners.
• Participate in damage control activities and general seamanship duties.

Skills

Catering

Cooking for large groups

High-pressure environments

Education

3 years secondary school

Job description

Chefs are responsible for the whole range of Navy’s catering requirements. As a Chef you could be cooking three to four meals a day for hungry ships’ companies or catering for official functions.

About the role

Hospitality

Entry type

General entry

Under training

$69,833

Location

Chefs are responsible for the whole range of Navy's catering requirements from cooking three to four meals a day for hungry ships’ companies, to catering for official functions including cocktail parties, formal dinners, buffets, morning and afternoon teas, and many high profile international and diplomatic functions. A chef is expected to cook for anyone from the most junior sailor, to Presidents and members of the Royal Family.

You could be preparing a cocktail party to be held by the Commanding Officer while in a foreign country or preparing a high carbohydrate meal for a new recruit involved in intense physical training. You will prepare meals at sea and ashore and may even cook 'in the field' on peacekeeping operations overseas.

Your career will start with initial and specialist training before posting to a shore based galley to practice your new skills. Further postings will see you serving at sea and ashore with further training and courses available to help with your career development and progression.

You will work in galleys (kitchens) at sea and in shore establishments. You will work alongside fellow chefs who will be at various stages of their career. Your duties will include the preparation and cooking of regular meals for as few as 10 people to as many as 400. This means that you could be on watch anytime between 5am and 10pm on any day of the week, including weekends, or even be required to work through the night when at sea. As a shift worker your scheduled days off will sometimes occur on a normal working day rather than a weekend.

In addition, whilst serving on ship, you will take part in various functions as part of the ship’s communal effort. This can be as varied as carrying out damage control activities, being part of a boarding team, general seamanship activities, domestic cleanliness duties, storing, and ammunition handling – just to name a few.

Accepting Applications

Basic Common Training 27/2, starts 23 Aug 2027 Apply by 05 Jan 2027

• Must be 18 years old by the time you graduate from recruit course.

3 years secondary school. Note, qualifications may be used to assess trade suitability.

There may be a return of service period for this trade.

Please contact our 0800 number or talk to your Candidate Experience Facilitator for more information.

We offer guidance on entry requirements in our eligibility section. Apply if you're uncertain, as we’ll work through the criteria with you to determine if you can proceed.

From cooking hearty meals for hungry sailors at sea to preparing fine dining for world leaders and royalty, Navy Chefs do it all. This isn’t your average kitchen job—you’ll be catering in high-pressure environments, whether on a warship, at a shore base, or even in the field during overseas peacekeeping operations.

Our Chefs and Stewards at work

Life

in

The

Vince

McGlone

Galley

It might be a 14-hour day, but there’s a lot of noise coming from the Royal New Zealand Navy's Vince McGlone Galley’s back-of-house section. Loud music, talk and laughter – you can tell the chefs and stewards are happy and pumping.

Your hard work, experience, and training accomplishments as a Chef are rewarded by promotions in rank and salary. Following your initial training and consolidation, you can reasonably be expected to have attained a basic level of competence within 18 months of joining. This will be supplemented by a sea posting and then further training to prepare you for promotion to a supervisory role.

Advanced training will involve both generic leadership skills and development as a chef. Successful completion of these will qualify you for a promotion to Leading Hand whereby you will be responsible for supervising a team of chefs, either at sea or ashore.

Earn a competitive salary while training or learning your trade, along with additional allowances for time spent in the field, at sea, overseas, or deployed on operations.

In addition to salary and allowances, other benefits of joining the New Zealand Defence Force include:

• Access to your Service marae or tūrangawaewae
• Sponsored tertiary study programmes at all levels
• Free access to gyms and swimming pools on camp and bases
• Opportunities to travel
• Free and subsidised medical and dental care
• Subsidised food and accommodation on camps and bases
• Subsidised insurance cover

Careers in the Navy are well-rewarded, as well as being diverse and exciting. As you become more experienced and move up through the ranks, gaining additional skills and qualifications, you will see your salary rise accordingly.

Under training

$69,833

Future potential earnings

$98,000

Am I fit enough?

If you want to be part of the NZ Defence Force you need to be medically and physically fit for military duties worldwide.

Your step‑by‑step guide on what to expect at various stages of the application process, specifically for military roles.

Experience a variety of Naval life as you work in the Officers’ Messes both at sea and ashore. Provide first‑class service at everything from Formal events to diplomatic functions.

General entry