24/09/2026
WE’RE HIRING | HEAD CHEF
Mora Wines & Artisan Kitchen is looking for an experienced, passionate and highly organised Head Chef to lead our kitchen team in Arrowtown.
This is a full-time, permanent, long-term position, working daytime hours, with occasional evenings required for weddings, functions and special events.
We’re looking for someone who loves great food, leads from the front and knows how to run a busy kitchen exceptionally well — both operationally and as a team.
ABOUT YOU
• Minimum 3 years’ experience as a Head Chef in a busy, quality-driven kitchen
• A strong, positive leader with excellent people-management skills
• Confident managing, mentoring and developing chefs, while creating clear expectations, accountability and a positive kitchen culture
• Excellent understanding of food costing, GP management, portion control, wastage and wage management
• Strong kitchen systems including ordering, stock control, supplier management, inventory, prep and service organisation
• Thorough understanding of Food Control Plans, food safety, compliance and kitchen standards
• Strong rostering and labour management skills
• Confident planning and executing events and functions, including developing event menus and delivering consistently for small to larger numbers
• Able to work closely and positively with FOH, management and our events team
• Highly organised, calm under pressure and solutions-focused
• Strong communication skills and clear English
FOOD, MENU & MORA
Our food is a huge part of the Mora experience. Our direction is seasonal, fresh and flavour-driven, with creativity and punch. We want food that delivers on flavour, looks beautiful on the plate and has a point of difference — distinctive dishes that stand out, with every dish earning its place on the menu.
It’s important that our Head Chef embraces the Mora vision and our company values. We’re looking for someone who brings their own creativity, experience and ideas to the role, while working collaboratively with the owners to shape and evolve the overall food and menu direction
Alongside our restaurant, we host weddings, corporate events, private functions and special events throughout the year, so creating and executing great event menus is also an important part of the role.
Above all, we’re looking for a Head Chef who is a great leader and team player — approachable, fair and respectful, with the ability to bring the best out of their chefs while maintaining high standards.
Someone who leads and delegates well, giving the kitchen team opportunities to grow, contribute ideas and stay inspired and motivated.”
We have a passionate team across both FOH and BOH and are looking for someone who wants to become a valued, long-term part of Mora.
Start: Late October, with the possibility of an earlier start for a smooth handover.
Sound like you? We’d love to hear from you.
📩 Email [email protected]
