Head Chef - The Waimate Kitchen &Bar
The Waimate Limited
We’re looking for an experienced Head Chef to take the lead in our kitchen at The Waimate Kitchen & Bar.
This is an opportunity to step into a hands-on leadership role, make the kitchen your own and enjoy a lifestyle that is hard to find in a larger centre. Located in the heart of Waimate, The Waimate Kitchen & Bar is part of Waimate Limited, a local hospitality business with a range of offerings across the town, including the restaurant and bar, bakery and café, accommodation and functions. We’re looking for someone who can take ownership of the restaurant kitchen, bring fresh ideas and help us continue building a place that locals are proud of and visitors remember.
The role
As Head Chef, you’ll be responsible for the day to day running of the kitchen, including:
Leading, supporting and developing the kitchen team
Creating menus and seasonal specials that suit our business and our customers
Maintaining consistently high food quality, presentation and portion control
Managing ordering, stock control, food costs and kitchen systems
Planning prep and keeping service organised and efficient
Rostering and helping create a positive, well-run workplace
Maintaining excellent food safety and hygiene standards
Working closely with the general manager and wider team on new ideas, functions and business development
We’re not looking for someone to simply follow an existing formula. We want a chef who notices opportunities, enjoys developing food and understands how to balance creativity with consistency, efficiency and commercial results. You’ll have room to influence the menu, improve systems and shape the way the kitchen operates. Whether that means developing seasonal dishes, making better use of local produce or creating food that gives people another reason to visit Waimate, your ideas will be welcomed.
About you
You’ll ideally have solid experience as a Head Chef, Sous Chef ready to take the next step, or an experienced senior chef with strong leadership skills.
You’ll be comfortable leading a team, managing a busy service and making decisions when things get demanding. You’ll communicate clearly, take pride in your standards and understand that a successful kitchen depends on good food, good systems and good people.
Most importantly, we’re looking for someone reliable, positive and genuinely passionate about hospitality.
What we can offer
Salary of $80,000–$100,000 depending on experience
Staff accommodation available, potentially within walking distance of both work and the town centre
The chance to live close enough to walk to work, cafés, shops, restaurants and local amenities
Genuine input into menus and the direction of the kitchen
Staff discounts and benefits
A supportive general manager
An established business where your contribution will be visible and valued
A lifestyle with more space, less commuting and a strong connection to the local community
Live close to work and make the most of Waimate - One of the real advantages of this role is the opportunity to live locally rather than spending your time commuting.
With accommodation available within walking distance of The Waimate and the town centre, you could start the day with a short walk to work, finish your shift and be home within minutes. Cafés, shops, parks, local services and community facilities are all close by, making it easy to settle in and become part of the town.
Waimate offers a relaxed South Canterbury lifestyle without feeling isolated. You’re within easy reach of Timaru, while the coast, lakes, rivers, mountains and some of the South Island’s best outdoor experiences are all accessible for days off and weekends away.
It’s a good fit for someone who wants a change of pace, more time outside work and the chance to become part of a genuine local community.
A little about us
The Waimate is housed in one of the town’s historic buildings and has become a local meeting place for everything from morning coffee and bakery treats through to dinner, drinks, celebrations and functions.
We’re proud of what we’ve built, but we’re not standing still. We’re continuing to look at how we can improve the food, the service and the overall experience for our customers.
For the right person, this isn’t just another Head Chef position. It’s an opportunity to take ownership of a kitchen, bring your own ideas, live close to work and enjoy a more connected lifestyle in a welcoming South Canterbury town.
If you’re an experienced chef looking for your next move - or a strong Sous Chef ready to step up - we’d love to hear from you.
Apply through Trade Me here with your CV and a little about yourself. If you’re considering relocating to Waimate, we’re happy to talk through the accommodation available, the role and what making the move could look like.
Check us out on Facebook - @thewaimatekitchenandbar