Senior Chef

Chef’s

The Brewers is a well‑established and highly regarded neighbourhood pub located in the heart of Merivale, Christchurch. Positioned at 177 Papanui Road, the venue benefits from consistent foot traffic, strong local loyalty, and a reputation as “your Merivale local” — a place known for dependable hospitality, quality food, and a welcoming atmosphere. The pub occupies a prominent site within the Merivale village area and offers multiple indoor and outdoor dining zones, including a sheltered patio, beer garden, and several HD sports screens and giant 4K projector that make it a top destination for sports enthusiasts.

The business has built a strong brand around approachable, high‑quality pub dining. Its menu features popular staples such as grilled steaks, fish & chips, brisket, burgers, pizzas, and house‑made desserts — items consistently highlighted in customer reviews for both quality and value.

We are on the lookout to fill two roles.

Senior or Head Chef

 Sous Chef

Each of the positions offers attractive remuneration packages for the right candidates based on experience and relevant skills.

Head Chef’s

Key Responsibilities (not limited to):

-        Accurately costing and designing menu to suit the clientele and the flair of the businesses

-        Ability to accurately manage stock and complete stock takes monthly

-        Process orders with minimum waste and within budget constraints

-        Ability to manage staff, develop them, work to build a high-performing team dedicated to serving the best food to the clientele

-        Ability to manage food control plans in line with best practice and legislation

-        Following Health & Safety processes in the kitchen and around the premises.

-        Be a leader and cool under pressure

The ideal Applicant:

-        You either have solid experience as a Head Chef in a similar gastro pub in New Zealand, or you have sound-experience as a Sous-Chef and want that next step in your career.

-        You must be willing to think outside the box and bring some flair to the business, with cutting-edge ideas to assist with the establishment direction.

-        You can work under pressure and have what it takes to become a pillar of the team, the one that people can rely on. You are calm and collected and display great interpersonal skills.

-        You have great verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to build relationships and communicate effectively.

-        You accept the nature of the business and understand what it takes to be successful in this role.

-        Attitude and culture are everything!

Sous Chef’s

Key Responsibilities (not limited to):

-        Assist the Head Chef in designing the menu to suit the clientele and the flair of the business.

-        Ability to accurately control stock, process orders with minimum waste and within budget

-        Ability to work as a key team member with a high-performance attitude

-        Ability to manage food control plans in line with relative best practice and legislation

-        Following Health & Safety processes in the kitchen and around the premises.

The Ideal Applicant

-        You are an existing Sous Chef working in as similar styled gastro pub business

-        You either have solid experience as a junior chef/ or apprentice in a similar gastro pub in New Zealand, or you have sound-experience as a Chef de Partie and want that next step in your career.

-        You must be willing to think outside the box and bring some flair to the business, we want your ideas.

-        You can work under pressure where required and meet the demand of the restaurant during service.

-        You can produce a consistent product.

-        You must be able to work unsupervised.

-        You have great verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to build relationships and communicate effectively.

-        You accept the nature of the business and understand what it takes to be successful in this role.

Ideally, the company is looking for candidates that will fit the business’s close working culture. For us we place the team and the culture above all else.

To be shortlisted for the role you MUST send a cover letter and your detailed CV with references. You MUST be in Christchurch or considering moving to Christchurch in the short term You MUST have a driver’s license and have all work rights in New Zealand. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted