Head Chef

About Kauri Bay

Kauri Bay stands out as one of Auckland's premier private event venues, sprawling over 500 acres overlooking the Hauraki Gulf. It boasts three specially designed venues hosting experiences from intimate lunches to grand celebrations of up to 250 guests.

Role Overview

This position is not within a traditional a la carte kitchen. Instead, the Head Chef will oversee a kitchen that operates based on tailored briefs, tasting sessions, and precise event run sheets to produce high-end weddings, corporate functions, launches, and private celebrations. Although menus vary with each event, the excellence in food quality remains constant.

Key Responsibilities

• Define a clear, seasonal culinary direction featuring modern New Zealand cuisine across all Kauri Bay menus.
• Convert client event briefs into distinctive, feasible, and financially viable food offerings.
• Lead food service for a range of formats including canapes, shared feasts, plated servings, degustations, and corporate lunches.
• Develop and manage a competent kitchen team with clear expectations, thorough preparation, and effective communication.
• Take full responsibility for food cost management, labor planning, procurement, recipe control, health and safety, and overall kitchen systems.
• Collaborate closely with leadership in events, operations, and front-of-house teams to ensure seamless execution.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate may have experience in high-end event catering, luxury hotels, lodges, major venues, or restaurants with substantial function capabilities. They must have leadership experience, a proven track record of commercial accountability, and the ability to produce premium food at scale.

They should be well-organized before service, actively engaged during service, and reflective after service. Creativity and precision should balance without chaos or over-theatrical presentation, maintaining commercial focus while delivering generous hospitality.

Compensation and Benefits

• A base salary ranging from $110,000 to $125,000.
• Employer contributions to KiwiSaver beyond the base salary.
• Performance bonuses up to 10%, based on guest satisfaction, commercial outcomes, team development, and compliance metrics.
• An average workweek of 45 hours, with no regular split shifts and a four-week advance schedule.
• Perks including staff meals, on-site parking, and opportunities for professional growth.

Additional Information

Kauri Bay is located 45 minutes from Auckland's central business district and 30 minutes from Auckland Airport. Applicants must have a valid New Zealand work right, a full driver's license, and reliable transportation.