Professional Chefs

  New Zealand

• Auckland: 
Auckland
• Wellington: 
Wellington
• Christchurch: 
Christchurch
• All Other Areas in New Zealand: 
Nelson
• Hamilton: 
Hamilton
• Queenstown: 
Queenstown

Length of Position: Ongoing
Dates: Fulltime

Description: New Zealand's hospitality industry makes up a vital proportion of the tourism industry, which is expected to experience significant growth to 2010. Over the next seven years (2005 - 2011) tourism is forecast to continue to grow with more international visitors expected, spending more money, and staying longer in commercial accommodation. This growth will have a positive affect on job opportunities for chefs.

Growth in New Zealand's hospitality industry can also be attributed to an increase in local spending in the food and beverage, and accommodation sectors. This is due in part to the positive economic environment meaning that more New Zealanders have more disposable income. Also there is a growing trend for New Zealanders choosing to dine out more frequently rather than just on special occasions.

While the equipment chefs use and the work that they do is not changing, the use of pre-prepared foods (such as sauces, stocks, desserts and vegetables) in restaurants is increasing. One result of this is that junior chefs are not necessarily using or needing to learn fundamental food preparation skills. Stock control, recipes and menus are often kept on computer databases so basic computer skills are essential, and the Internet is important for food research and marketing.

Highlights: Grant Jackson has been a chef for over 30 years and has run his own restaurant for the last 11. He says that being a chef is all he ever wanted to do.

It was a normal dining night when Grant Jackson got a phone call saying that former US President Bill Clinton was coming for dinner. "That was huge," says Grant. "We only got an hour's notice and about five minutes after that about 30 security guards arrived. He ordered off the menu, and must have enjoyed himself because he left an hour-and-a-half later than he was supposed to."

"When I was 15 I got a holiday job at a restaurant. At the end of the holiday the chef asked me whether I'd like a full-time job. So I never went back to school."

Thinking back on his career Grant says he counts himself very lucky. "I've done nothing else in 32 years, but I still wake up in the morning and want to come to work because I'm passionate about what I do."

Mark Sycamore had a taste of celebrity chefdom when in 2004 he won the Gordon Ramsey Scholarship - a cook off for young, up-and-coming New Zealand chefs."I like the hours that I work. I like the fact that on my days off, maybe Tuesday or Wednesday I can do stuff; I also quite like the life style. I like the party aspect of hospitality after you've finished work. I'm not having to fight the crowds at the weekend. It's a good life for me."

Qualifications: A New Zealand National Certificate in Hospitality - Cookery (Level 4)or International qualifications that meet the NZ Qualifications Authority standard.

Chefs need to have:

- food preparation, cooking and food presentation skills
- knowledge of budgeting, food prices and how to price and set up a menu
- understanding of hygiene and health and safety regulations
- knowledge of new developments in food nutrition, food technology and cooking methods
- planning skills, good communication and people management skills.

Personal Qualities
Chefs need to be:
- creative and open-minded
- able to follow instructions
- willing to learn new cooking methods, recipes and menus
- reliable and able to work well under pressure
- quick and efficient, while still being patient and careful.

Common sense is also important.

Minimum Education: Diploma/Certification

Salary / Pay: Salaries vary, but chefs usually earn between USD 28,000 and USD 52,000 per year depending on the region and size of business they are employed in, and their experience and responsibilities. Self-employed chefs generally earn more than this. Many chefs in New Zealand work on a hourly wage basis.

Experience Required: yes

2-3 years practical experience and verifiable references.

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to New Zealand Independently

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone Interview
• Resume

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home
• Job and Internship Network

The Commonwealth Services Group's Mission Statement: CSG is a team of New Zealanders with a combined experience of more than 30 years living, working and helping people settle and work in the New Zealand & the UK. We specialise in the recruitment of skilled migrants for shortages in the labour market. CSG provides a full range of Immigration & Employment services.

Year Founded: 1998