Senior Café Chef / Café Kitchen

Cafe at Redwoods; Kerikeri; On-site; NZD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Cafe at Redwoods in Kerikeri, Northland, is seeking an experienced Café Chef to thrive in a fast-paced café environment. You will bring hands-on kitchen experience and the ability to multitask across breakfast and lunch service, including sole charge when needed.

You will prepare dishes quickly to a high standard, manage multiple orders, and work closely with front-of-house staff to ensure smooth, timely service.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience in a busy café kitchen.
• Ability to multitask and manage multiple orders.
• Capable of sole charge when required.
• Strong understanding of café-style breakfast and lunch service.
• Reliable, punctual and a good team player.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook breakfast and lunch quickly, consistently and to a high standard.
• Confidently manage busy café service, including periods of sole charge.
• Manage and prioritise multiple dockets simultaneously.
• Work efficiently under pressure while maintaining quality, accuracy and presentation.
• Prepare fresh cabinet food, savoury items and daily kitchen prep.
• Complete opening prep and have the kitchen fully ready for service.
• Plan ahead and identify prep requirements without needing constant direction.
• Maintain portion control and consistency.
• Monitor stock levels and communicate ordering requirements.
• Work closely with front-of-house staff to ensure smooth, timely service.

Skills

Multitasking

Time management

Sole charge

Calm under pressure

Cafe-style breakfast & lunch

Reliability

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

We are looking for an experienced Café Chef who is confident working in a fast-paced café environment. Previous hands-on experience in a busy café kitchen is essential. This role requires someone who can multitask, manage multiple orders at once and confidently work sole charge when required.

Key responsibilities

• Prepare and cook breakfast and lunch dishes quickly, consistently and to a high standard.
• Confidently manage busy café service, including periods of sole charge.
• Manage and prioritise multiple dockets simultaneously.
• Work efficiently under pressure while maintaining quality, accuracy and presentation.
• Prepare fresh cabinet food, savoury items and daily kitchen prep.
• Complete opening prep and have the kitchen fully ready for service.
• Plan ahead and identify prep requirements without needing constant direction.
• Maintain portion control and consistency.
• Monitor stock levels and communicate ordering requirements.
• Work closely with front-of-house staff to ensure smooth, timely service.

About you

• Strong multitasking and time-management skills.
• Confident working independently and sole charge.
• Fast, organised and calm under pressure.
• Strong understanding of café-style breakfast and lunch service.
• Reliable, punctual and able to work as part of a small team.