Waimarino Lodge, a new lakeside retreat now under construction on the shores of Lake Wakatipu near Queenstown is expected to open to the public in Q4 2026, and is searching for a group lead Chef to define its food philosophy and assist in kitchen design.
The Design Group, renown for crafting extraordinary design-led hospitality experiences in New Zealand, is launching the bold new project and is looking to recruit a very particular kind of chef to help bring it to life.
They say Waimarino Lodge is not just a new luxury lodge opening near Queenstown. “It’s a creative, architectural and culinary venture designed to celebrate the raw, elemental beauty of Aotearoa. “We’re recruiting a group lead Chef to define the entire food philosophy for the property, and its sister sites, including The Theodore Hotel in Wanaka.”
This is a rare opportunity to step into something original and significant. The successful applicant will not walk into an existing kitchen but will design one from scratch. They will shape the menus, build local producer relationships, and create an experience that is elemental, seasonal and grounded in place.
Chef With Creative Instinct Wanted
“This isn’t about reinventing fine dining,” says Andrew McIntosh, owner and Director of The Design Group. “We’re looking for someone who doesn’t need tweezers to plate food. Someone who’s more interested in building a fire and knowing exactly where their trout or asparagus came from. This role is for a chef who cooks with instinct, who wants to work closely with growers and fishers, and who is ready to create something with real depth.
“The successful applicant will be more than a chef. They will become the face of Crave, a video series produced by The Design Group’s in-house creative team. The series will follow their journey from the first sketches of the kitchen to testing dishes over open flame, to visiting the producers and landscapes that define their cooking style. It’s a story of food, fire and place, told in real time.
“This is a creative role as much as a culinary one,” says McIntosh. “It’s for someone who wants to build a legacy, not just a menu. We’ve got the setting, the team, the access to incredible produce and the platform to share it with the world. Now we need the right person to bring it to life.”
Wider Oversight Of Regional Pantry
The role includes oversight of the culinary offering across The Design Group’s properties, including private dining experiences within the Waimarino Residences and the more casual food programmes at The Theodore Hotel in Wanaka. Each property shares the same commitment to provenance, creativity and a sense of place.
From alpine herbs to lake trout, Central Otago wines to wild venison, the region is a pantry waiting to be explored.
