Cafe Chef

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. Are you an experienced Café Chef looking for a role where you can take ownership of a kitchen and be part of a supportive team? Join Montana Group and help deliver quality food experiences within a busy university environment. We’re looking for a Café Chef to join our team at Kahurangi, responsible for supporting the daily operations of the kitchen while delivering high-quality food, excellent service, and strong food safety standards. About the Role This is a hands‑on leadership role where you’ll take responsibility for the day‑to‑day operation of the kitchen, working closely with the Kahurangi Retail Manager and kitchen team to deliver great food and service to our customers. You’ll be involved in menu planning, food preparation, stock management, team support, and ensuring the kitchen operates efficiently while meeting quality, compliance, and financial targets. Key Responsibilities Support menu planning, budgeting, and production planning Lead and support the daily operation of the café kitchen Prepare and deliver high-quality food to company and customer standards Manage stock ordering, rotation, portion control, and minimise food waste Ensure kitchen preparation is completed and ready for service Maintain a high standard of food presentation and customer satisfaction Receive, check, store, and maintain kitchen supplies correctly Support kitchen cleanliness, equipment maintenance, and daily operations Maintain food safety and hygiene standards in line with our Food Control Plan Work collaboratively with kitchen teams and other departments What We’re Looking For Minimum 3 years’ experience working as a Café Chef or similar role Strong knowledge of commercial kitchen operations and food preparation Good understanding of NZ food safety practices and kitchen hygiene standards Experience with menu planning, budgeting, and production planning Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage priorities in a busy environment A creative approach to food presentation and awareness of current food trends A positive team player who enjoys supporting and developing others NZQA Food Safety or Food Hygiene qualification National Certificate in Cookery or equivalent qualification Experience working in a café, hospitality, or high-volume catering environment What’s in it for You Competitive salary based on experience Free meal per shift Uniform provided Opportunity to work with one of New Zealand’s largest privately owned catering companies Supportive team environment Opportunities for growth and development across Montana Group Access to seasonal work opportunities across our catering and events sites About Us Montana Group was born out of a Hamilton restaurant in the 1960s and has evolved into New Zealand’s largest privately owned catering company, employing close to 1,000 people across Auckland and Waikato. We pride ourselves on using real ingredients, creating memorable food experiences, and supporting our people to grow and succeed. You must be legally entitled to work in New Zealand. If on a visa, please state expiry date and work conditions. Ministry of Justice criminal conviction checks and reference checks are required. This role will require you to complete a Criminal Record Check and undergo reference checks as part of our recruitment process. #J-18808-Ljbffr