Chef
On this page
- What's it like to be a Chef?
- How to become a Chef
- Latest Chef jobs
- Top skills and experience for Chefs
- Is Chef the right role for you?
- Chef role reviews
What's it like to be a Chef?
A Chef (Pūkenga Tao Kai) creates menus and cooks dishes for restaurant customers. In some cases, they may order food supplies and manage other kitchen staff. Chefs can specialise in a type of cuisine such as haute or regional cuisine. In addition to restaurants, Chefs commonly work in cafes, catering businesses, rest homes or retirement villages, the armed services and schools.
Tasks and duties
- Maintaining an inventory of food and ordering required ingredients.
- Cleaning, cutting and preparing ingredients.
- Cooking and finishing dishes.
- Communicating with other kitchen staff.
- Ensuring the work environment is clean and safe.
How to become a Chef
You don’t need a qualification to become a Chef, although most complete a tertiary qualification and/or apprenticeship.
Complete a New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 3), New Zealand Certificate in Hospitality (Cookery) (Level 4) or Bachelor of Culinary Arts.
Alternatively, you could complete a New Zealand Cookery Apprenticeship. This allows you to work while studying a New Zealand Certificate in Hospitality (Cookery) (Level 4).
After becoming an experienced Chef, consider furthering your studies in Level 5 to Level 7 qualifications in culinary arts.
