A passion for Italian cuisine. A flair for the exceptional.
At No.5 Bar & Restaurant, we believe great dining is about more than what’s on the plate. It’s about exceptional ingredients, thoughtful menus and creating experiences guests remember long after the last course.
Located within the luxury boutique The Spire Hotel in the heart of Queenstown, we’re looking for a creative, passionate and experienced Head Chef to lead our kitchen and shape the culinary offering across our collection of distinctive hospitality experiences.
With a focus on contemporary Italian cuisine, seasonal ingredients and a refined approach to dining, this is an opportunity to bring your own style and creativity to the table. Extending beyond the restaurant to bespoke private dining events and dining experiences aboard our luxury yacht, Pacific Jemm.
The opportunity
This is a role for a chef who takes pride in their craft, appreciates the finer details and enjoys creating something special for every occasion.
You’ll lead the culinary direction at No.5, developing menus inspired by Italian flavours, quality produce and seasonal ingredients. From beautifully executed classics to contemporary dishes with a creative twist, you’ll have the freedom to develop a distinctive food offering that reflects the character of our venues.
Beyond the restaurant, you’ll create bespoke menus for private dining events across our venues and memorable dining experiences aboard Pacific Jemm. Each setting offers an opportunity to bring something different to the table, with menus thoughtfully designed around the occasion, the setting and our guests.
What you’ll be responsible for
Develop and evolve seasonal menus showcasing contemporary Italian cuisine, quality ingredients and thoughtful presentation.
Bring fresh ideas to the table, balancing traditional Italian influences with modern techniques and your own culinary style.
Design tailored menus for private dining, special occasions and exclusive yacht experiences aboard Pacific Jemm.
Lead, mentor and inspire the kitchen team, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration and high standards.
Oversee preparation and service, ensuring consistency, efficiency and attention to detail across every dish.
Manage food costs, purchasing, stock control and waste while maintaining the quality of the dining experience.
Work closely with our wider hospitality team to deliver seamless, memorable dining experiences across our venues.
Take responsibility for maintaining the highest standards of food safety, hygiene and kitchen cleanliness across all venues and events
Manage and ensure day to day operations are compliant with the Food Control Plan, including keeping accurate food safety records are maintained, including temperature checks, cleaning schedules and other required documentation
What you’ll bring
Previous experience as a Head Chef or a highly capable Sous Chef ready to take the next step.
A genuine passion for exceptional food, with a strong understanding of flavours and ingredients
Creativity and confidence in developing menus that are seasonal, distinctive and commercially successful.
Experience catering for different styles of dining, from restaurant service to private events and premium experiences.
Strong leadership skills and the ability to develop a motivated, high-performing kitchen team.
Excellent attention to detail and pride in delivering consistently high-quality food.
A sound understanding of food costing, stock management and kitchen operations.
A professional, hands-on approach and a genuine appreciation for exceptional hospitality.
Why join us?
This is an opportunity to make your mark within a collection of premium Queenstown hospitality experiences.
With No.5 as your home base, you can shape the restaurant’s culinary identity while extending your influence into private dining and the unique setting of Pacific Jemm. It’s a varied role that offers plenty of scope to experiment, develop new ideas and create memorable food experiences for a diverse range of guests.
If you’re passionate about dining, enjoy leading a kitchen and want the opportunity to create something distinctive across restaurant dining, private events and luxury yacht experiences, we’d love to hear from you.
Bring your creativity, lead with passion and help us create something exceptional at No.5.
Apply now to join our Queenstown team.