Food Service and Catering Assistant/Chef/Cook

Vinnie's Kitchen is looking for a skilled and passionate Chef to join our team. This is a hands-on role that requires strong teamwork, leadership, and an ability to manage both day-to-day kitchen operations and large volunteer groups.

About the Role: We are seeking a mid-to-senior level chef who thrives in a dynamic environment, balancing food production, leadership, and teamwork. Our full-time team is small, but we regularly host volunteer groups, so the ability to guide and coordinate a diverse team is essential.

Key Responsibilities: *Prepare and cook large batches of high-quality meals for our community programs. *Lead and support both kitchen staff and volunteer groups in food production. *Maintain strict food safety and health & safety standards in all kitchen operations. *Manage workflow efficiently in a high-volume environment, ensuring consistency and quality. *Work collaboratively with the team to support Vinnie’s Kitchen’s mission (Experience required, basic site training and orientation provided)

Please send a bit about your suitability for the role and your updated CV to: Raj.Thakur002@msd.govt.nz

Ideal Candidate: *Experience: Minimum of 5 years in a commercial kitchen, bulk catering, food service, corporate catering or marae catering. *Leadership Skills: Confident in leading and training teams, including volunteers with varying skill levels. *Food Safety & Compliance: Strong understanding of food safety regulations, HACCP principles, and workplace health & safety. *Physical Fitness: This is a physically demanding role, requiring someone fit and energetic. *Team Player: Able to work in a small team while also stepping up to lead large groups when required. *Adaptability: Comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-volume kitchen with changing daily demands. *Communication Skills: Excellent communication skills to liaise and work collaboratively with other departments *Skills & Knowledge: Strong understanding of safe food compliance, health & safety regulations and bulk food production *Bonus Skills (ideal but not required): Supervisory experience, training staff, full driver’s license, warehousing experience, and a fork hoist certificate.