UH 2025 Lodge Cook

JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights

Ultimate Hikes seeks a Lodge Cook to join remote Milford or Routeburn Track lodges, preparing and serving breakfasts, dinners, and snacks for up to 50 guests and 16 staff daily. This seasonal, on site role runs up to five weeks at a time through mid April 2026, with split shifts, evenings, weekends, and occasional Lodge Attendant duties on Routeburn. Essential requirements include at least six months in a commercial kitchen, the ability to follow set menus and manage dietary needs, stock control, and strong teamwork in a remote environment. NZ work rights and safety awareness are essential. Tailor your CV to highlight kitchen, safety, and collaboration experience and convey fit with Tiaki Promise.

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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 the most memorable experience for our guests.


Position Summary – Lodge Cook
Ultimate Hikes offers guided multi-day walks on New Zealand’s Milford and Routeburn Tracks, blending hiking with comfortable lodges and exceptional hospitality in Fiordland and Mt Aspiring National Parks. Join our team to create unforgettable guest experiences in stunning locations!
Purpose
As a Lodge Cook, you’ll prepare and serve high-quality meals for up to 50 guests and 16 staff daily, ensuring delicious, well-presented dishes that cater to diverse dietary needs. You’ll work closely with the Lodge Manager and Head Cook, maintaining a clean, safe, and efficient kitchen while contributing to a warm, hospitable lodge environment. This is a unique opportunity to live and work in remote, world-class locations for up to five weeks at a time. The role is seasonal, and ends in mid April 2026.
Key responsibilities
• Food Preparation & Kitchen Operations: Prepare, cook, and serve breakfasts, dinners, and snacks, following set menus and ensuring high standards of quality and presentation. Maintain a hygienic kitchen, adhering to food safety standards, and assist with stock management and record-keeping.
• Team Collaboration: Work respectfully and cooperatively in a close-knit lodge team, contributing to a positive and harmonious environment.
• Health & Safety: Follow the lodge’s Safety Management System, participate in Health & Safety meetings, and ensure compliance with food safety regulations.
• Additional Duties: Be flexible to work split shifts, evenings, weekends, and cover absences as needed. At Routeburn Track lodges, assist as a Lodge Attendant one week in three.
Relationships
The role reports to the Lodge Manager and Lodge Assistant Manager and works closely with the Lodge Head Cook and kitchen team and other lodge team members.

Location
The role is based at one of the remote lodges on the Milford or Routeburn Tracks where you will work and live for up to five weeks at a time. These lodges, with the exception of Mitre Peak Lodge, are inaccessible by road.

Person specifications
We’re looking for enthusiastic individuals with a passion for hospitality and teamwork. To succeed as a Lodge Cook, you’ll need:
Essential Experience
• At least 6 months of basic cooking experience or experience in a commercial kitchen.
• Ability to prepare and present delicious, nutritious meals to a high standard, adhering to set menus while managing dietaries.
• Experience managing kitchen stock (rotation, stocktakes, and ordering).
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a team.
• Comfort living and working in a remote environment for extended periods.
• Legal right to work in New Zealand.
• Proven ability to multi-task in a busy kitchen while delivering timely, high-quality meals.
• Adaptability to changing schedules, guest needs, and team dynamics.
• Strong organizational skills and a positive, resilient attitude under pressure.
• Commitment to learning, applying feedback, and maintaining a supportive kitchen environment.
Personal Characteristics should include:
• Results-Driven: Thrives in high-pressure situations and seeks challenging opportunities.
• High-Speed Learning: Quickly applies new skills and embraces feedback for growth.
• Passion & Resilience: Brings a strong work ethic and perseveres through challenges.
• Trust & Integrity: Acts with honesty, respects confidentiality, and builds trust.
• Adaptability: Adjusts to changing situations and communicates effectively.
• Energy & Safety: Maintains stamina for long hours and upholds safety standards.


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.