Back
Navy Chef banner 20240926

Navy

Chef

Chefs are responsible for the whole range of Navy’s catering requirements. As a Chef you could be cooking three to four meals a day for hungry ships’ companies or catering for official functions.

Mō te tūranga

About the role

  • Specialisations

    Hospitality

  • Entry type

    General entry

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Location

    Devonport

Chefs are responsible for the whole range of Navy's catering requirements from cooking three to four meals a day for hungry ships’ companies, to catering for official functions including cocktail parties, formal dinners, buffets, morning and afternoon teas, and many high profile international and diplomatic functions. A chef is expected to cook for anyone from the most junior sailor, to Presidents and members of the Royal Family.

You could be preparing a cocktail party to be held by the Commanding Officer while in a foreign country or preparing a high carbohydrate meal for a new recruit involved in intense physical training. You will prepare meals at sea and ashore and may even cook 'in the field' on peacekeeping operations overseas.

Your career will start with initial and specialist training before posting to a shore based galley to practice your new skills. Further postings will see you serving at sea and ashore with further training and courses available to help with your career development and progression.

You will work in galleys (kitchens) at sea and in shore establishments. You will work alongside fellow chefs who will be at various stages of their career. Your duties will include the preparation and cooking of regular meals for as few as 10 people to as many as 400. This means that you could be on watch anytime between 5am and 10pm on any day of the week, including weekends, or even be required to work through the night when at sea. As a shift worker your scheduled days off will sometimes occur on a normal working day rather than a weekend.

In addition, whilst serving on ship, you will take part in various functions as part of the ship’s communal effort. This can be as varied as carrying out damage control activities, being part of a boarding team, general seamanship activities, domestic cleanliness duties, storing, and ammunition handling – just to name a few.

Accepting Applications

  • Basic Common Training 25-2, starts 25 Aug 2025 Apply by 12 May 2025

    Apply Now

Requirements

Basics

  • Must be 18 years old by the time you graduate from recruit course.
  • Eligible to meet national security clearance criteria, as stipulated by the Government's Protective Security Requirements.

Education

3 years secondary school. Note, qualifications may be used to assess trade suitability.

Citizenship

There are strict citizenship and security requirements to gain the required CV security clearance for this trade. 
Find out if you’re eligible here.

Period of Service

There may be a return of service period for this trade.

Please contact our 0800 number or talk to your Candidate Experience Facilitator for more information.

We offer guidance on entry requirements in our eligibility section. Apply if you're uncertain, as we’ll work through the criteria with you to determine if you can proceed.

RNZN Chef Story

Our Chefs and Stewards at work

Life in The Vince McGlone Galley

It might be a 14-hour day, but there’s a lot of noise coming from the Royal New Zealand Navy's Vince McGlone Galley’s back-of-house section. Loud music, talk and laughter – you can tell the chefs and stewards are happy and pumping.

Read story

Career progression and training

01Career Progression

02Basic Training

03Job Training

04Ongoing Training

Benefits & allowances

Earn a competitive salary while training or learning your trade, along with additional allowances for time spent in the field, at sea, overseas, or deployed on operations.

In addition to salary and allowances, other benefits of joining the New Zealand Defence Force include:

  • Access to your Service marae or tūrangawaewae
  • Sponsored tertiary study programmes at all levels
  • Free access to gyms and swimming pools on camp and bases
  • Opportunities to travel
  • Free and subsidised medical and dental care
  • Subsidised food and accommodation on camps and bases
  • Free and subsidised insurance cover
  • Help to buy a home and save for retirement

Salary & benefits

Careers in the Navy are well-rewarded, as well as being diverse and exciting. As you become more experienced and move up through the ranks, gaining additional skills and qualifications, you will see your salary rise accordingly.

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Future potential earnings

    $98,000

Navy Be Prepared Fitness Image 20240927

Am I fit enough?

If you want to be part of the NZ Defence Force you need to be medically and physically fit for military duties worldwide.

Medical & Fitness
Navy Be Prepared Application Process Image 20240927

The application process

Your step-by-step guide on what to expect at various stages of the application process, specifically for military roles.

Application process
navy generic base for roles

Ready to start your Navy career?

APPLY NOW

Tūranga whaipānga

Related Roles

navy steward square 20240717

Navy

  • Active Intakes

General entry

Experience a variety of Naval life as you work in the Officers’ Messes both at sea and ashore. Provide first-class service at everything from Formal events to diplomatic functions.

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Future potential earnings

    $98,000

  • Location

    Devonport

RNZN Musician Band Square 20220905

Navy

Musician

Education & Support roles

General entry

Join New Zealand’s most versatile military musical organisation. Travel and work with this unique group of musicians throughout New Zealand and the world. The Royal New Zealand Navy band (RNZN band) is highly respected both within the Navy and musical circles. It includes some of the country’s finest musicians whose professional capability and versatility combine to deliver a wide range of ensembles to perform at a varied range of ceremonies and events.

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Future potential earnings

    $98,000

  • Location

    Auckland