Cafe Chefs/Bakers

About the role

A new Columbus Café is opening inside the new Mitre 10 MEGA store in Papamoa, and the team is looking to hire two creative chefs to manage breakfast and lunch preparation, along with two enthusiastic cabinet bakers. Papamoa is a scenic coastal area in New Zealand, and this café will form part of a brand-new store scheduled to open in October 2026.

At Mega Papamoa, the focus is on delivering an excellent customer experience. Through a partnership with Columbus Coffee, a well-known New Zealand café brand, the site will offer premium café food and award-winning coffee within a Mitre 10 MEGA environment. The role also comes with a strong team culture, structured training, and ongoing improvement support.

What the job involves

• Managing day-to-day preparation and service work efficiently and with confidence.
• Keeping the cabinet filled with appealing, high-quality food items.
• Preparing à la carte dishes promptly and consistently to Columbus standards.
• Following Food Control Plan requirements, allergen controls, and site health and safety procedures.
• Making sure equipment, cleanliness, and compliance records are consistently maintained.
• Supporting production planning and team communication.

What the team is looking for

The ideal person will be organised, energetic, and bring proven hospitality or cooking experience. A strong customer focus, a positive personality, and commitment to the café environment are important.

• Experience working in a busy, high-volume kitchen.
• Practical capability in cabinet food, baking, and cook-to-order service.
• A strong eye for presentation and consistent portioning.
• Good understanding of Food Control Plans and health and safety requirements.
• Calm, structured leadership and clear communication in busy situations.
• Reliability, speed, and a genuine commitment to quality.
• Strong baking ability, including muffins, scones, cakes, slices, and biscuits.

Work pattern

This is a 40-hour per week position, spread across 5 days within a 7-day roster, including one weekend day. Shift times will vary between 6:15 am and 5:00 pm to support breakfast and lunch service.

Why you’ll enjoy working here

• Join a locally owned café with a strong reputation for quality.
• Work with a team that values great food, great coffee, and great people.
• Enjoy daytime hours only, with evenings free.
• Be part of a supportive, fun, and improvement-focused workplace.
• Receive competitive pay.
• Benefit from staff discounts at both Columbus and Mitre 10.
• Access ongoing support, training, and development.

Eligibility

Applicants must be New Zealand residents.

Additional information

The café is part of the new Mitre 10 MEGA Papamoa store and is expected to open in October 2026. Columbus Coffee operates more than 76 stores throughout New Zealand and emphasizes premium food, award-winning coffee, and a strong customer experience.