Sous Chef In The Waitaki Valley

Run the pass at the best dam pub in the valley. We're a busy lakeside pub, restaurant and accommodation operation in Otematata, South Island — big summers, loyal locals, and a kitchen that takes real pride in consistent, honest food. We need a Sous Chef who can hold the standard when it's flat out and lift the people around them. THE BASICS * Employer: Get It Now Ltd, trading as Otematata's Best Dam Pub — an Immigration New Zealand accredited employer * Job title: Sous Chef (second-in-charge to the Head Chef) * Job location: Otematata, Waitaki Valley, South Island, New Zealand (on-site; team housing available for the right person) * Type of work: Permanent, full-time * Pay: $34.00 minimum to $37.00 maximum per hour, depending on experience * Hours: Guaranteed minimum 35 hours per week. Typically rostered Friday to Tuesday across days, evenings, weekends and public holidays, with more hours available in peak season. WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU * Free gym membership * 50% off food and beverage * A structured training and ongoing coaching programme — we grow our chefs, not just roster them * Team housing available * Guaranteed hours year-round, in a place other people save up to holiday in WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING * Running daily kitchen operations and prep management alongside the Head Chef * Owning food quality, consistency and presentation to standard on every service * Stock control, ordering, wastage and food cost management * Coaching and supervising chefs de partie, apprentices and kitchen hands * Food safety and Food Control Plan compliance, including records * Supporting menu development, seasonal specials and function menus * Keeping the kitchen safe — hazard management, clean-as-you-go, equipment care * Leading the kitchen and the team in the Head Chef's absence WHAT YOU MUST HAVE (MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS) * At least 3 years' commercial cookery experience, including at least 1 year in a senior or supervisory kitchen role (chef de partie or above) * NZ Certificate in Cookery (Level 4), an equivalent qualification, or equivalent professional experience * Strong working knowledge of food safety and experience operating under a Food Control Plan * Proven ability to lead a small brigade and stay composed under pressure * Availability to work weekends and public holidays on a rostered basis * The legal right to work in New Zealand, or eligibility to apply for a work visa — as an accredited employer we can support an Accredited Employer Work Visa application for the right candidate. Please be in New Zealand already. HOW TO APPLY Apply through this listing with your CV and a letter explaining why you're the one and what you can bring to Otematata's Best Dam Pub. Applications close 11:59pm Sunday 23 August 2026. We're a small, tight team in a cracking part of the country — lakes on the doorstep, real seasons, no traffic lights. If you want your cooking to matter, come run the pass.