Head Chef

An exceptional opportunity exists for a driven and ambitious Head Chef to lead the culinary offering at a newly reopening luxury heritage lodge in South Canterbury.

Positioned at the premium end of the market this intimate property caters to a discerning international clientele from North America, Europe, and Australasia.

With a strong focus on lodge guests (maximum 16–22 guests for private events), the kitchen delivers a refined, seasonal experience centred on local provenance and storytelling through food.

This is a hands-on leadership role, very much “on the pans” and ideal for a chef who wants to build a personal brand within a high-end, smaller-scale luxury environment.

The role you will design and deliver:
  • A refined 4-course dinner experience (including canapés and pre-dinner drinks)
  • Seasonal breakfast service
  • Elevated picnic and onsite lunch offerings
  • A true paddock-to-plate ethos, utilising onsite produce, preserves, and scratch cooking
Year one will focus on lodge guests only, allowing space to establish menus, systems, supplier relationships, and team culture. Winter occupancy will provide for an opportunity to refine the offering before peak season demand.

Kitchen Structure
  • Head Chef (you) 
  • 2IC
  • Breakfast Chef
  • Casual seasonal support
This is not a seven-day grind. Staffing will flex according to occupancy, ensuring sustainability and balance.

About you we are seeking a chef who:
  • Has experience in luxury, lodge, or boutique hospitality environments
  • Is commercially aware but creatively driven
  • Thrives in a heritage setting and understands how to tell a story through cuisine
  • Is ambitious and motivated to build profile and reputation
  • Enjoys leading from the front in a hands-on capacity
The lodge is located approximately 20km from Timaru. Short-term accommodation is available on-site during relocation, with family accommodation options in Timaru during transition if required.
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