Cook - Casual

JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights

Summerset is seeking a flexible casual Cook and Café Assistant for the Taupo village to prepare production meals and café service, keep an audit-ready kitchen, and deliver a warm, nourishing dining experience for residents. The role combines kitchen duties with barista service, cash handling, and event catering support, with roster flexibility including weekends and holidays. The ideal candidate will have prior cook experience in healthcare or residential care settings, solid food safety knowledge (certification preferred), standout barista skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast paced environment while maintaining high standards. To apply, tailor your CV to reflect dual role experience, highlight relevant certifications, and submit early as applications close on 7th September; in your cover note, show your teamwork, empathy, and commitment to resident wellbeing.

Company Description

You can help bring our villages to life!  

At Summerset, from the moment we start developing a village, to when our residents call it home, it’s the passion and dedication of our people that brings our villages to life. We are one team united by being part of something bigger – to bring the best of life to our residents.  

Job Description

We’re looking for a dedicated Cook/Cafe Assistant to join our team at our Taupo village. This is more than just a kitchen job — it’s a chance to be part of something meaningful, where every meal you prepare brings joy, comfort, and nourishment to the lives of our residents.

As a Cook, you will play an essential role in creating fresh, wholesome meals in a supportive and team-focused environment. Your work will help ensure our residents enjoy nutritious food that supports their health and wellbeing. Your day-to-day responsibilities will include:

• Preparing and cooking production meals for our care centre as well as short order meals for the café, based on established menus and dietary needs
• Maintaining an “audit-ready” kitchen by adhering to Summerset’s Food Control Plan
• Working collaboratively with kitchen staff, care teams and management to deliver an exceptional dining experience

As a Café Assistant, you’ll play a key role in delivering exceptional customer service and ensuring the smooth running of our café. From making great coffee to creating tasty cabinet food and light meals, you’ll help make our café a warm and welcoming place for residents, their families, and visitors. Your day-to-day responsibilities will include:

• Preparing, presenting, and serving food and drinks to a high standard
• Providing outstanding barista services
• Assisting with catering for village events and resident functions
• Handling cash and reconciling daily takings

This is a casual position with shifts offered on an as-needed basis. We are seeking a flexible and enthusiastic individual who is interested in working across a dual role as both a Casual Cook and Casual Café Assistant.

Qualifications

This role is ideal for someone who takes pride in their work, loves bringing people together over food, and enjoys going the extra mile for their customers. You will bring a warm and positive approach to everything you do, along with:

• Previous experience as a Cook, ideally in a healthcare or residential care setting
• Strong knowledge of food safety standards Certification in safe food handling (preferred)
• Superb barista skills and café experience
• Confidence to work in a fast-paced environment while maintaining high standards
• Flexibility to work rostered shifts, including weekends and holidays as required

At Summerset, we believe diversity strengthens our team and enriches the care we provide. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences, and walks of life.

Additional Information

We are proud to show our appreciation for the passion and commitment our people show every day, by offering a selection of employee benefits: 

Our benefits include:

• Weekend additional penal hourly rates apply 
• The ability to grow your career across a variety of roles in Summerset
• Opportunities to gain recognised culinary qualifications

Next Steps: Applications for this role will close on 7th September. This role may close early due to an increased number of applications - apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment!