Fixed Term Chef / Cook

Chef / Cook – Summer Season

No.5 Cafe & Larder | Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
Fixed-term: October 2026 – February 2027 | 30+ hours per week
Competitive remuneration 

Join the No.5 Team This Summer!

Are you a chef, cook or experienced senior kitchen hand looking for your next opportunity in a busy, vibrant hospitality environment? We’re looking for a motivated and reliable kitchen team member to join us at No.5 Cafe & Larder and help deliver an exceptional food experience throughout our busy Christmas and summer season.

Ideally, you’ll be a qualified chef, but we’re equally interested in hearing from capable cooks or experienced kitchen hands who have solid kitchen skills, a great attitude and the ability to hit the ground running.

About No.5 Cafe & Larder

Located in beautiful Hawke’s Bay, No.5 Cafe & Larder is a popular hospitality destination offering great food, friendly service and a welcoming atmosphere. Alongside our cafe and restaurant service, we host a wide range of functions and events, making our kitchen a varied and exciting place to work.

Summer is one of our busiest times of the year, with a mix of daytime service, evening dining and functions. No two days are quite the same, and we’re looking for someone who enjoys being part of a team that takes pride in what they do.

About the Role

This is a varied, hands-on kitchen role where you’ll work alongside our existing team to help deliver consistent, high-quality food across our different services.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Preparing and cooking food to a high standard.
• Working across different kitchen sections, including hot food, cold food, salads and function catering.
• Demonstrating confident knife skills and sound food preparation techniques.
• Following recipes, preparation lists and established kitchen procedures.
• Maintaining excellent food safety, hygiene and cleanliness standards.
• Keeping your section organised and working efficiently during busy service periods.
• Supporting the wider kitchen team and helping ensure smooth day-to-day operations.

We’re looking for someone who understands how a professional kitchen operates, can follow direction, works well under pressure and is happy to get stuck in wherever needed.

About You

You’ll ideally have:

• Previous experience working in a commercial kitchen.
• Strong food preparation and knife skills.
• Good cooking skills and the ability to follow recipes consistently.
• An understanding of kitchen operations, food safety and hygiene.
• A positive attitude, strong work ethic and a team-first approach.
• The flexibility to work a varied roster, including days, evenings, early starts and late finishes.

A formal chef qualification is an advantage, but practical experience, reliability and the right attitude are just as important. We welcome applications from qualified chefs, experienced cooks and capable senior kitchen hands.

What We Offer

• Competitive remuneration, based on experience and skill level.
• A guaranteed opportunity to join us for the busy summer season, with an expectation of 30+ hours per week.
• A varied role across cafe service, restaurant dining and functions.
• A supportive team environment in an established Hawke’s Bay hospitality venue.
• The opportunity to develop your skills and gain experience across different areas of kitchen operations.
• Discounts and perks - including free golf on our nine hole golf course and other outdoor activities. 

Employment Details

• Position: Chef / Cook / Senior Kitchen Hand
• Location: No.5 Cafe & Larder, Hawke’s Bay
• Contract: Fixed-term, October 2026 to February 2027
• Hours: 30+ hours per week, with a varied roster covering daytime and evening shifts
• Pay: Competitive remuneration, dependent on experience

Ready to Join Us?

If you’re passionate about food, enjoy working as part of a team and want to be part of a busy summer season at No.5, we’d love to hear from you.

Send through your CV and a brief introduction outlining your kitchen experience and availability. We’re looking for someone who can bring great energy, solid skills and a positive attitude to our team this summer!

Apply now and be part of the No.5 team.