2024/25 Lodge - Cook

Position Description – Lodge Cook

Ultimate Hikes are the exclusive operators of multi day guided walks on the famous Milford & Routeburn Tracks.

The tracks are New Zealand's most iconic of the Great Walks, and along with the Greenstone Track, showcase the majestic nature of Fiordland and Mt Aspiring National Parks.   We combine the opportunity to inhabit these great locations and challenging hiking tracks with the comfort of private lodges and unique hospitality in the most remote of locations.

Over the season we employ a range of people who work together to make our guided walks a memorable experience for our guests.

Purpose

The Lodge Cook is responsible for preparing, cooking and presenting delicious lodge meals for our guests while using a set menu each day of the season, and cooking nutritious, tasty meals for staff on a daily basis. Cooks also work in conjunction with the Lodge Manager in ensuring working levels of all ingredients are maintained at the lodge at all times.

Relationships

The role reports to the Lodge Manager and Relief Lodge Manager.

Location

The role is based at one of the remote lodges on the Milford or Routeburn Tracks.  These lodges, with the exception of Mitre Peak Lodge, are inaccessible by road.

Pay rate

The role is seasonal and you will be paid between $267 and $285 per day, based on a 9 hour day, working split shifts. You will work a minimum 30 hours per week.

Hours of work

The role is seasonal and you will work approximately nine hours per day, which will include working at weekends and evenings. Some days may involve working longer hours due to operational requirements.

Key responsibilities

Lodge Cooks play a significant role in Ultimate Hikes successfully providing an excellent experience for our guests while on track. We expect our Lodge Cooks to approach each working day in a positive and enthusiastic manner. Lodge Cook’s tasks include but are not limited to:

Food preparation & kitchen operations

• Prepare, cook and present up to 50 nutritious guest meals per day from a set breakfast and dinner menu, while exceeding company expectations in terms of quality and delivery
• Follow the recipes set by the company and prepare meals ensuring they are of the same high quality each day and with correct portion control
• Prepare and present tasty snacks for walkers
• Prepare food by weighing, peeling, cutting, slicing and dicing ingredients for cooking and serving
• Prepare food to meet special dietary requirements of both guests and staff
• Prepare and cook nutritious meals each day for up to 14 staff
• Maintain a clean kitchen and ensure that the highest possible standards are used in all areas relating to food handling, preparation, health, safety and hygiene, and that all work areas, equipment, utensils, dishes and cutlery are correctly washed and sanitised
• Ensure that all food is stored correctly, and that refrigerators are set to the correct temperatures
• Assist with loading and unloading of supplies as required, and working with the Lodge Manager & Stores Manager when food supplies are low

Health & Safety

• All staff must comply with the Safety Management System when working
• Adhere to Food Control Plan requirements at all times
• Attend regular Health & Safety meetings at the lodge
• Identify and report hazards within the workplace.  Comply with all procedures
• Ensure that equipment is safe and in working condition

Other

• Lodge cooks based at Routeburn Track lodges will also undertake Lodge Attendant tasks on the week when both cooks are at the lodge (1 week in 3)
• Work as rostered, adapt to roster changes when required, and complete timesheets in an accurate and timely way. Be prepared to work split shifts with varying hours and duties as required
• Fit into a close-knit lodge team, show tolerance of others, and work in a positive and mature manner
• Assist the Lodge Manager in ensuring that the lodge is a safe, harmonious, enjoyable work place environment for all staff

Person specifications

This part of the position description defines the key elements of our Lodge Cooks. These descriptors of what success would look like will assist Ultimate Hikes in a variety of ways including:

• Setting a benchmark for lodge work
• Assisting in the identification and recruitment of our lodge teams
• Assisting in the retention of our team over multiple seasons

To keep the Success Profile simple, a framework comprising three components has been created.  The details of each component are outlined in the following pages.

Person specification

What I have done (experience)

To be successful as a Lodge Cook, it is expected that the individual will have been exposed to experiences that shape their future responses to often challenging situations.

Essential experience:

• A passion for providing exceptional hospitality
• A minimum of six months experience in basic cooking, or have experience working in a commercial kitchen
• You must have experience in managing stock and ordering in conjunction with the Lodge Manager
• Experience working in a collaborative team environment
• Ability to control outward behaviour especially under pressure
• You must have the right to work in New Zealand

The following would also be an advantage:

Desirable experience:

• Working in a remote area or location would be an advantage
• Working for Ultimate Hikes or an affiliated Trojan Holdings company

What I know (knowledge)

Our lodge staff will need to know their stuff! This will ensure they deliver excellence and will contribute to their personal credibility.

Essential skills:

• Be able to prepare, cook and present delicious, nutritious meals for both customers and staff to a high standard
• Work within the menu requirements as set out by Ultimate Hikes for customers
• Great communication skills
• Ability to work efficiently within set time frames when completing the various tasks and duties
• Willingness to seek out feedback and apply new learning and skills
• Ability to control outward behaviour especially under pressure
• Have a great attitude, be a team player, take initiative and be willing to go the extra mile to help someone or get a job done

Desirable skills:

• First Aid Certificate

What am I capable of (personal characteristics)

These competencies define clusters of behaviours, knowledge, and motivations that are related to success or failure within the role of a highly performing Lodge Cook, and ones that we would like you to aspire to. 

Essential Performance Characteristics of all roles in Ultimate Hikes

Specific characteristics

Ultimate Hikes are guardians of the environment we operate in. We are leaders in the safety and education of visitors to the region and we are responsible for the health, safety and wellbeing of the people who live and work there on our behalf.

We take this commitment very seriously and pledge that everything we do will be in keeping with our own Tiaki Promise - caring for people and place.