The Role
Lead the kitchen at La Zeppa, our rooftop kitchen and bar in Freemans Bay. This is a permanent, full-time role for a Head Chef who sets the standard, builds the team and owns the menu.
Your main responsibilities include:
Leading the kitchen: service, standards and team
Owning the menu, with hands-on mentoring from one of New Zealand’s most respected chefs
Building strong senior chefs who hold the standard when you’re off
Completing ordering and stocktaking to plan and manage food costs
Creating rosters and managing wage costs
Monitoring the quality of dishes at all stages of preparation and presentation
Preparing and cooking food to a consistently high standard
Demonstrating techniques and advising on cooking procedures
Mentoring, training and developing your team so everyone knows their role inside out
Prep management: everything prepped and portioned before service
Owning the Food Control Plan and making sure the team understands cleaning standards and processes
Clear communication between the kitchen, front of house and head office
For visa applicants: this role will be an average of at least 30 hours per week, with a maximum of 60 hours per week
Hours and pay
$40–45 per hour (approx. $94–105k based on 45 hrs/week), depending on experience
Full-time: an average of 40–45 hours per week
Two consecutive days off every week
What we offer
Lead your own menu, with mentoring from one of New Zealand’s most respected chefs. You’ll meet him at your interview
Open book management: learn the financial skills you need to run a kitchen, or own a business
A clear path to multi-site Head Chef
Opportunities to work across our venues in Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin
Staff discounts at every site
Skills and experience
Proven experience leading a busy, high-quality kitchen
Strong Mediterranean or tapas experience
Strong culinary and leadership skills, with a track record of developing chefs
Excellent communication with kitchen and front of house
NZ Register Diploma (ANZSCO Skill Level 2) and/or at least three years of relevant experience
The Kitchen
La Zeppa is a rooftop kitchen and bar in Freemans Bay, right behind Victoria Park. Our menu is Mediterranean tapas done with style: kingfish crudo with ajo blanco and pickled grapes, lamb koftas with tahini yoghurt and chermoula, fried calamari with smoked taramasalata, gildas, burrata and hand-cut pappardelle, alongside punchy cocktails and weekend DJ sets.
Our Story
Cook Brothers Hospitality Group started in 2004 and runs venues across Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin, including Michelin Guide-listed Bessie. Food is our biggest focus, and we’re investing in it across the group.
Applications close November 10th.
lazeppa.co.nz | cookbrothersbars.co.nz