Head Chef

Lead the kitchen of a recently renovated Kiwi pub in the heart of Queenstown.

Walter’s Tavern is a fresh take on a classic Queenstown local, blending old-school pub charm with a contemporary feel. Located in the heart of town, the venue serves up hearty Kiwi pub favourites, seasonal dishes and elevated classics across a busy bar, upstairs dining space and outdoor terrace.

We’re looking for an experienced Sous Chef ready to take the next step into a Head Chef role or an established Head Chef looking for a new opportunity in one of New Zealand’s most exciting hospitality destinations.

What you’ll be doing

• Take ownership of the kitchen and lead the team through busy services
• Maintain high standards of food quality, presentation and consistency
• Manage kitchen operations, stock, ordering and food costs
• Develop and maintain a menu that suits a busy Kiwi pub environment
• Lead, train and develop your kitchen team
• Work closely with the Venue Manager to keep the kitchen running efficiently
• Stay hands-on during service and lead by example
• Maintain strong food safety, hygiene and compliance standards

What we’re looking for

• Minimum 2 years’ experience as a Sous Chef or previous Head Chef experience
• Strong pub, casual dining or high-volume kitchen experience
• Confident leading a team and running a busy service
• Organised, reliable and commercially minded
• A hands-on chef who enjoys being part of the team
• Someone who wants to make their mark on a great local venue

Why Choose Us?

• Competitive salary + annual bonus of up to $20K paid quarterly
• Staff discounts across 240+ venues in Australia & NZ
• Recently renovated venue in the heart of Queenstown
• Career progression within a growing, dynamic hospitality group
• Support from central teams including Marketing, Recruitment, IT & more
• Learning & development opportunities to enhance your skills
• The opportunity to live and work in New Zealand’s adventure capital

Ready for your next step? Join the team at Walter’s Tavern.