Some of the tasks of a chef include: creating menus: you research upcoming dishes in the hospitality industry, like the latest desserts, pastry and pasta trends. You can find new ingredients to enhance dishes you cook from your research. You create menus for breakfast and dinner, including drink menus. You also develop recipes for various food items to ensure the chefs achieve the desired outcomes. preparing and cooking dishes: you need culinary skills to prepare and cook various dishes, from starters to desserts. Your job is to ensure the flavour and food presentation meets the desired standards. All the food leaving your kitchen should be carefully plated to look appetising. Hence, you monitor the presentation and garnishing of all food served in restaurants. coordinating work activities in the kitchen: you are responsible for all the cooking operations. That involves coordinating the kitchen crew to ensure all food types are prepared according to the desired standards. You also plan the work schedules for the cooks and cleaning crew. performing administrative duties: you perform various administrative duties like ordering ingredients, managing food stock and looking for vendors. You are responsible for food safety and ensuring the kitchen crew maintains hygiene standards. You also determine the cost of each dish and set the prices to attach to the menu.

You are employed in various business sectors where food is served. You could work in restaurants, hotels, snack bars, canteens and cruise ships. You may also land a job in a catering and banqueting company. Hence, your work environment depends on your employer. You work indoors in a fast-paced environment in restaurants, cafes, hotels and cruise ships. The role involves minimal travelling unless you work from a food truck or you work for catering or banqueting services. As a chef, you are expected to wear a chef's uniform at work, including the white toque blanche (the tall, cylindrical-shaped hat).

who are your colleagues?

Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include kitchen managers , cooks and head chefs. You might also be working in close proximity to baristas, supervisors, service managers , cafe managers, as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, receptionists, bartenders, dishwashers, customer service officers , and event managers.

A chef works throughout the week, including weekends and public holidays, since restaurants or hotels are open daily. Most employers provide leave days during the week. Sometimes, you work on rotational shifts, especially in busy work environments or on cruise ships. When you work in a pastry shop or a food truck, you are likely to work regular business hours with occasional evenings. Most chefs work on full-time schedules, but part-time opportunities are available, or you can find short-term contracts for working in events catering.

A career in the kitchen starts with an apprentice or chef de partie position. After working under the supervision of chefs, you progress to a chef de partie or station chef role before becoming a sous chef and later a head chef. When you have extensive experience managing kitchens, you can become an executive chef in a high-end restaurant. Alternative career options are becoming a kitchen manager or a restaurant manager. After gaining experience as an employed chef, you may open your own restaurant or pastry shop.

advantages of finding a chef job through randstad

Finding your chef job through Randstad provides important advantages such as: a wide variety of training and development opportunities an experienced contact person to provide help if needed a range of opportunities in your area get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job temporary and permanent contracts Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a chef is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers every year thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.

what are the main duties of a chef?

A chef is a professional cook in charge of the food preparation process. Your job is to control the preparation process by researching the food items and creating menu plans for the restaurant or hotel. You approve and artfully design dishes before they reach the customer. You also work closely with other restaurant workers to ensure the food is prepared safely.

is a chef a good career in New Zealand?

Being a chef is a promising career in New Zealand. It provides steady job growth due to the increasing demand for chefs in different regions of New Zealand. The salary is attractive and increases as you improve your skills and expertise. If you enjoy cooking, being a chef allows you to profit on doing what you love. You also have an opportunity to work with like-minded, driven people.

is it hard to be a chef?

Working as a chef involves working extensive hours in a fast-paced work environment. As a chef, you plan the recipes and menus and cook all the dishes. You also supervise the set-up of every dish served in the restaurant. You work long hours during peak and busy periods, and sometimes you work late nights planning meals for the next day.

what abilities does a chef need?

Being a good cook isn't enough for a fulfilling career as a chef. You require additional skills to excel in the role. Willingness to learn is vital since you should master new techniques and flavours to keep up with changing dietary trends and requirements. Organisational skills are also important since kitchens are busy work environments. Working as a chef is demanding, and you need a genuine passion for your work to withstand the pressure of the job.

how can you become a chef in New Zealand?

Chefs don't require formal qualifications; you only need a passion for food and creative cooking skills. However, most employers prefer workers with tertiary qualifications including: two to three year, on-the-job apprenticeship, including study towards a New Zealand Certificate in Hospitality (Cookery) (Level 4) one year, full-time New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 3) one year, full-time New Zealand Certificate in Hospitality (Cookery) (Level 4)

how do I apply for a chef vacancy?

Applying for a chef job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our chef job offers . Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.

Working as a chef | Randstad New Zealand

what is a chef?

A chef is a professional who oversees food preparation. You use your culinary skills to manage a kitchen and ensure restaurant customers receive the best services. Unlike other kitchen employees, a chef is involved in cooking and kitchen management. That means you plan menus, research new dishes for the restaurant and experiment with different ingredients to provide a unique experience for visitors.

As a chef, you require impressive culinary skills and food preparation expertise to coordinate work activities in the kitchen. Since you are responsible for both flavour and presentation, you need creativity to ensure the dishes taste great and look appetising. Aside from cooking preparation and coordinating kitchen staff, you also perform administrative duties like ordering ingredients, sourcing vendors and managing food stock. You work with the restaurant manager to set food prices and determine the cost of the dishes.

Your duties differ depending on the size of the establishment. When you work in a large high-end restaurant, you may take up a managerial role and only cook when devising new dishes for the menu. In less formal establishments, a chef's duties are managing food stock, cooking and keeping the kitchen clean and tidy.

Chefs work in any establishment that prepares food, from snack bars to hotels, cafes, restaurants, cruise ships and companies offering catering services.

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1

average salary of a chef

The hourly rate of an entry level chef is $23 - $25 per hour, while experienced chefs can earn between $29 - $38 per hour. Your hourly rate or salary depends on your responsibilities and rank in the company you work for.

how to increase your salary as a chef

A chef's remuneration package depends on various factors, including responsibilities, work experience and company size. For instance, head chefs earn more since they take up additional responsibilities like inventing new dishes and ordering inventory. Chef de Parties are paid less as they are junior kitchen staff whose role is to cook and serve dishes based on the recipes provided.

When you have extensive experience and culinary mastery, you can negotiate a better remuneration package due to the skills you bring to the table. Working for large restaurants can be rewarding as they have the resources to pay better salaries than snack bars and less formal establishments.

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2

types of chefs

Some of the types of chefs include:

executive chefs: You manage all the kitchen activities as an executive chef. While you don't cook the meals, you taste the dishes before they are served to customers. You also review the plate presentation and develop new menu items.
butcher chefs: as a butcher chef, you prepare the meat before it moves to different workstations. You prepare various meat types and cuts based on the menu to ensure the chefs have well-prepared meat for customer orders.
pastry chefs: as a pastry chef, you prepare baked goods and desserts. Your job is to mix the batters, prepare dough for various pastries and desserts, and ensure customers receive their desserts on time.
Chef de Partie chefs: as a commis chef, you are a junior-level worker who assists in meal preparation. Your job is to shadow chefs and assist at various workstations. You prepare ingredients and clean the work areas.

3

working as a chef

Working as a chef is an exciting and fast-paced job that involves numerous responsibilities. Read on for details on the specific tasks, work schedules and career prospects involved in the role.

chef job description
Some of the tasks of a chef include:
- creating menus: you research upcoming dishes in the hospitality industry, like the latest desserts, pastry and pasta trends. You can find new ingredients to enhance dishes you cook from your research. You create menus for breakfast and dinner, including drink menus. You also develop recipes for various food items to ensure the chefs achieve the desired outcomes.
- preparing and cooking dishes: you need culinary skills to prepare and cook various dishes, from starters to desserts. Your job is to ensure the flavour and food presentation meets the desired standards. All the food leaving your kitchen should be carefully plated to look appetising. Hence, you monitor the presentation and garnishing of all food served in restaurants.
- coordinating work activities in the kitchen: you are responsible for all the cooking operations. That involves coordinating the kitchen crew to ensure all food types are prepared according to the desired standards. You also plan the work schedules for the cooks and cleaning crew.
- performing administrative duties: you perform various administrative duties like ordering ingredients, managing food stock and looking for vendors. You are responsible for food safety and ensuring the kitchen crew maintains hygiene standards. You also determine the cost of each dish and set the prices to attach to the menu.
work environment

You are employed in various business sectors where food is served. You could work in restaurants, hotels, snack bars, canteens and cruise ships. You may also land a job in a catering and banqueting company. Hence, your work environment depends on your employer. You work indoors in a fast-paced environment in restaurants, cafes, hotels and cruise ships. The role involves minimal travelling unless you work from a food truck or you work for catering or banqueting services. As a chef, you are expected to wear a chef's uniform at work, including the white toque blanche (the tall, cylindrical-shaped hat).
who are your colleagues?

Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include kitchen managers, cooks and head chefs. You might also be working in close proximity to baristas, supervisors, service managers, cafe managers, as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, receptionists, bartenders, dishwashers, customer service officers, and event managers.
work schedule

A chef works throughout the week, including weekends and public holidays, since restaurants or hotels are open daily. Most employers provide leave days during the week. Sometimes, you work on rotational shifts, especially in busy work environments or on cruise ships. When you work in a pastry shop or a food truck, you are likely to work regular business hours with occasional evenings. Most chefs work on full-time schedules, but part-time opportunities are available, or you can find short-term contracts for working in events catering.
job outlook

A career in the kitchen starts with an apprentice or chef de partie position. After working under the supervision of chefs, you progress to a chef de partie or station chef role before becoming a sous chef and later a head chef. When you have extensive experience managing kitchens, you can become an executive chef in a high-end restaurant. Alternative career options are becoming a kitchen manager or a restaurant manager. After gaining experience as an employed chef, you may open your own restaurant or pastry shop.
advantages of finding a chef job through randstad
Finding your chef job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a chef is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers every year thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.

4

education and skills

While chefs don't require formal education, you may require some training to improve your culinary skills and prepare for managerial roles. These include:

two to three year, on-the-job apprenticeship, including study towards a New Zealand Certificate in Hospitality (Cookery) (Level 4)
one year, full-time New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 3)
one year, full-time New Zealand Certificate in Hospitality (Cookery) (Level 4).

When you complete your apprenticeship, you should develop your cooking skills by working in entry-level positions.

chef skills and competencies

Some of the skills and competencies of a chef include:

organisation skills: you should be organised to plan workflows in the kitchen and ensure food is prepared promptly. Lack of organisation can lead to mixing up orders or menu items and presenting the wrong dishes to customers.
multitasking skills: you cook a range of food items on the menu and perform other tasks. Multitasking skills help you coordinate the various elements of food preparation.
creativity: you rely on creativity to develop a unique menu and create impressive food presentations. You are also in charge of the décor, seating arrangements and tableware to enhance the dining experience.

5

FAQs about working as a chef

Here are the most asked questions about working as a chef:

what are the main duties of a chef?

A chef is a professional cook in charge of the food preparation process. Your job is to control the preparation process by researching the food items and creating menu plans for the restaurant or hotel. You approve and artfully design dishes before they reach the customer. You also work closely with other restaurant workers to ensure the food is prepared safely.
is a chef a good career in New Zealand?

Being a chef is a promising career in New Zealand. It provides steady job growth due to the increasing demand for chefs in different regions of New Zealand. The salary is attractive and increases as you improve your skills and expertise. If you enjoy cooking, being a chef allows you to profit on doing what you love. You also have an opportunity to work with like-minded, driven people.
is it hard to be a chef?

Working as a chef involves working extensive hours in a fast-paced work environment. As a chef, you plan the recipes and menus and cook all the dishes. You also supervise the set-up of every dish served in the restaurant. You work long hours during peak and busy periods, and sometimes you work late nights planning meals for the next day.
what abilities does a chef need?

Being a good cook isn't enough for a fulfilling career as a chef. You require additional skills to excel in the role. Willingness to learn is vital since you should master new techniques and flavours to keep up with changing dietary trends and requirements. Organisational skills are also important since kitchens are busy work environments. Working as a chef is demanding, and you need a genuine passion for your work to withstand the pressure of the job.
how can you become a chef in New Zealand?
Chefs don't require formal qualifications; you only need a passion for food and creative cooking skills. However, most employers prefer workers with tertiary qualifications including:
- two to three year, on-the-job apprenticeship, including study towards a New Zealand Certificate in Hospitality (Cookery) (Level 4)
- one year, full-time New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 3)
- one year, full-time New Zealand Certificate in Hospitality (Cookery) (Level 4)
how do I apply for a chef vacancy?

Applying for a chef job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our chef job offers. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.

chef.