Head Chef | Finn's Taupo

Finn’s Taupō is a busy gastro pub in the heart of the CBD, known for great food, lively services and a welcoming atmosphere. We’re looking for an experienced Head Chef to take the lead in the kitchen, bring the team together and drive a strong food offering.

This is a hands-on leadership role for a chef who enjoys the pace of a busy pub, takes pride in their food and knows how to get the best out of their team while keeping service running smoothly.

You’re a natural leader who enjoys being on the tools, building a strong team and creating a kitchen that delivers, even during the busiest services.

If you’re a hands-on chef who loves a busy service, great pub food and bringing a team together, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now and make your mark at Finn’s!

Responsibilities

Lead, motivate and develop the kitchen team, setting the standard for food and service; Oversee daily kitchen operations, preparation and service; Deliver consistent, quality food across the pub menu and wood-fired pizza offering; Manage ordering, stock control, food costs and kitchen budgets; Maintain high standards of food safety, cleanliness and compliance; Work with the venue leadership team on menus, specials and ongoing improvements; Train and develop team members while building a positive kitchen culture; Stay hands-on during service and lead by example when things get busy

Requirements

3+ years’ experience in a senior kitchen leadership role; Experience in a busy pub or high-volume hospitality environment; Pizza experience, ideally with a wood-fired pizza oven; Strong understanding of kitchen operations, food costs and stock control; The ability to lead, coach and develop a team; A practical, hands-on approach and a strong work ethic; The ability to stay calm, organised and solutions-focused under pressure; A genuine passion for hospitality and delivering great food

Benefits

Competitive salary plus annual bonus of up to $20K, paid quarterly; Staff discounts across 240+ venues in New Zealand and Australia; Take ownership of the kitchen at a well-known Taupō gastro pub; Work with a wood-fired pizza oven and a varied pub-style menu; CBD location in the heart of Taupō; Strong weekend trade and a lively calendar of events; The opportunity to put your own stamp on the menu and kitchen operations; Lead, develop and grow your own kitchen team; Be part of a venue with plenty happening across food, sport, live music and events