Chef - ESS Woodbourne

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Make a real impact - fuel the NZ Defence Force with nutritious, high-quality meals.
  • Grow your culinary career - access NZQA qualifications, apprenticeships, and formal career pathways.
  • Enjoy great perks - health insurance discounts, on-site parking, free uniforms, and more.

He angitutanga | The Opportunity

We're looking for an experienced Permanent Full-time Chef to join our team at the Woodbourne Military Base, Blenheim. You'll be responsible for preparing, cooking, and serving high-quality meals that meet the needs of our Defence Force personnel, while maintaining the highest standards of food safety and hygiene.

You will work a minimum of 30 hours per week. The base closes down over Xmas and New year we do encourage our team to take this time off. Earn great hourly rate – a minimum of $31.21 per hour for the successful candidate.

Ko o kawenga | Your Responsibilities
  • Prepare, cook, and present meals to a high standard, ensuring portion control and quality.
  • Receive, store, and rotate kitchen supplies to maintain freshness and reduce waste.
  • Maintain a clean, safe, and hygienic kitchen environment in line with food safety regulations.
  • Support menu planning and dietary requirements, including cultural and nutritional needs.
  • Coach and support kitchen team members while working collaboratively with colleagues.
He korero mou | About You
  • Hold an NZQA Level 4 Certificate in Cookery (or equivalent).
  • Previous experience cooking in a similar environment, ideally under pressure.
  • A team player with strong communication skills and a flexible, can-do attitude.
  • Physically fit, reliable, and committed to high standards of hygiene and safety.
  • Able to pass a police clearance and pre-employment checks.
Nga painga | What's in it for you
  • Training & Development: Online learning, NZQA qualifications, and apprenticeships.
  • Career Progression: Formal career paths within Compass Group.
  • Recognition: Star Awards, Service Awards, and performance bonuses.
  • Health & Safety: A strong focus on your wellbeing.
  • Discounts: Health insurance, gym memberships, optometry, and more.
  • Site Perks: Free uniforms, on-site parking, and access to base amenities.
Mo matou | About Us
  • We are New Zealand's leading and largest provider of food and support services across multiple industries.
  • These industry sectors are managed by our sub brands Eurest, Chartwells, Restaurant Associates, Medirest, and ESS.
  • We specialise in turning ordinary acts of service into extraordinary experiential moments for our clients. With innovative and talented teams across New Zealand, we transform experiences from being GOOD to GREAT.
  • Our people are awesome, they breathe life into our brands and make great things happen!
  • Our strength comes from the combination of the things we have in common - our shared values, vision, and purpose and to make our commitment unique for you - RESPECT, GROWTH and TEAMWORK are the founding pillars of these commitments.
  • We are an equal opportunity employer; we celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive environment for all employees.

Successful candidates will need to satisfactorily pass a police clearance.

Applicants for this position should have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa.

Ready to bring your passion to the plate?

Click 'Apply Now' or contact our recruitment team at recruitment@compass-group.co.nz

Great People, Real Opportunities.

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