Chef

CAVE is a small, family-run restaurant in the heart of Arrowtown, known for a relaxed Japanese lunch menu (ramen, sushi, donburi) by day and a refined Japanese tapas dinner service by night — paired with an extensive sake, Japanese whiskey, and Central Otago wine list. We're a small team that cares about doing things properly. If you're after a kitchen where you'll actually be part of the team rather than a cog in a big machine, this is worth a look.

We're looking for an experienced Chef to join our close-knit kitchen team long-term, working alongside our owner-chef and head chef. This isn't a short-term or stopgap role — we want someone who wants to build something with us over years, not months.

About the role:

Full-time position, based at our Arrowtown restaurant. Preparing and cooking across our lunch and dinner menus, working across multiple kitchen sections. Fast-paced service, particularly through the Queenstown Lakes tourist season. Minimum 30 guaranteed hours per week, with typical hours ranging up to 60 depending on business needs. What you'll need:

At least 3 years' relevant commercial kitchen experience. Genuine, demonstrable whole-fish butchery skill — you can break down and fillet a whole salmon cleanly and efficiently, not just portion pre-cut fillets. Precise knife skills across the board — we will ask you to demonstrate this at trial. Experience working across multiple kitchen sections in a fast-paced environment. Confident with raw food preparation — sushi/nigiri and sashimi. No formal culinary qualification required; we care about what you can actually do with a knife, not what's on paper. Genuinely looking to settle into a role and stay — not using this as a stepping stone to move on within a year

Trial process:

A hands-on skills demonstration is a non-negotiable part of our process.

You'll need to be available to attend an in-person skills demonstration (knife skills/fish butchery) at our Arrowtown restaurant within 1–2 weeks of applying. We're unable to progress applications from candidates who can't meet the above.

AEWV sponsorship:

If you would need AEWV visa sponsorship, we hold an approved job check and can support the right candidate through that process. You'll need to provide solid documented evidence of your past experience — a signed employment contract together with payslips or IRD/tax records covering that employment. A contract alone, or a verbal reference alone, won't be sufficient for the visa application.

To apply, send your CV to info@cavearrowtown.co.nz