Sous Chef

Buzz Recruitment; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Jora New Zealand in Christchurch is seeking a seriously experienced Sous Chef to lead a busy kitchen and thrive without constant supervision. The role welcomes Head Chefs seeking less responsibility and offers salary or hourly arrangements based on what suits the candidate and the kitchen.

The candidate must have a minimum of 5 years as a Sous Chef, with strong à la carte and events experience, and a proven ability to lead and motivate a team while maintaining food costs and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience as a Sous Chef
• Head Chefs wanting less responsibility are VERY welcome
• Love being on the pans and cooking
• Strong à la carte experience
• Functions & events experience will get our attention
• Ability to lead, support and motivate a kitchen team
• Solid understanding of food costs, FCP and H&S
• Organised, reliable and calm when service gets smashed
• A genuinely good human who fits the team

Skills

Sous Chef

Kitchen leadership

Food costing

H&S knowledge

Team motivation

A la carte

Event catering

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.

Christchurch, South Island

Love being a Chef? Love being part of a great kitchen? Over the paperwork, politics and being the person EVERYTHING lands on? This could be exactly what you've been looking for. We're on the hunt for a seriously experienced Sous Chef who knows their way around a busy kitchen and doesn't need their hand held.

You'll need a minimum of 5 years' experience as a Sous Chef — OR you might be a Head Chef who's thinking...I still love cooking, I just don't want ALL the responsibility anymore.And before you ask — NO, stepping back in responsibility doesn't mean stepping back in $$$!
We're happy to pay salary OR hourly, depending on what works best for you. We want the right Chef and are prepared to structure the package accordingly.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

• Minimum 5 years' experience as a Sous Chef
• Head Chefs wanting less responsibility are VERY welcome
• Someone who still genuinely loves being on the pans
• Strong à la carte experience
• Functions & events experience will definitely get our attention
• The ability to lead, support and motivate a kitchen team
• A solid understanding of food costs, FCP and H&S
• Someone organised, reliable and calm when service gets smashed
• And importantly... a genuinely good human who fits the team

TEAM FIT IS EVERYTHING!

We can read your CV and check your experience, but we also want to know how you'll fit with the people you'll be working alongside every day. That's why interviews will be held onsite. Come in. See the kitchen. Meet the team. Have a proper conversation.

We want this to be the right move for both sides.

Please note: Sponsorship is NOT available for this position. You must already have the legal right to work in New Zealand.