Aged Care Chef

About the role

The Recruitment Network is hiring skilled chefs who are confident working in aged care and related healthcare kitchens. This position suits someone with experience in hospitals or aged care facilities who wants flexible shifts, the chance to take on short assignments or longer ongoing work, and the opportunity to prepare meals that support comfort, nutrition, and quality of life.

What you can expect

• Choose shifts that fit your schedule, from occasional work to extended placements.
• Work in settings where your cooking directly supports residents and patients, including aged care homes, hospitals, and similar healthcare environments.
• Receive hourly pay of $32 to $35, plus 8% holiday pay.
• Access plenty of available shifts, with the possibility of full-time hours.
• Move between different facilities to broaden your experience while maintaining work-life balance.

Key duties

• Prepare meals in high-volume aged care or hospital kitchen settings.
• Follow recipes precisely and maintain consistency in food preparation.
• Plan and produce meals that suit a variety of special dietary needs, including puréed, soft, and low-sodium diets.
• Work efficiently while keeping to strict food safety and hygiene standards.
• Approach the role with care and empathy, ensuring meals are both nutritious and enjoyable.

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience as a chef in an aged care or hospital kitchen.
• Strong ability to follow recipes exactly as written.
• Good knowledge of special diets and texture-modified meals.
• Ability to adapt quickly and work efficiently in busy kitchen environments.
• Commitment to strict food safety practices.
• A compassionate attitude toward residents and patients.
• Open and unrestricted right to work in New Zealand; visa sponsorship is not available.

Why this role

This is temporary-style work that combines flexibility with meaningful impact. You will help improve the daily lives of people in care while choosing shifts and locations that suit your lifestyle.