Join the revelry at Drifter Christchurch
Welcome to Drifter, New Zealand’s newest hospitality playground designed for free spirits and adventure-seekers. Drifter is a new breed of accommodation, blending the boutique comfort of a hotel with the community-driven spirit of a modern hostel.
It’s not just about a place to stay - it’s about creating vibrant, welcoming spaces where people from all walks of life come together to connect, unwind, and explore. And it all starts with a great team.
Perks of the Gig
The Role
As a Commis Chef at Drifter, you’re part of the team that brings our food offering to life. You support the Head Chef and senior chefs with food preparation, service, and the day-to-day running of the kitchen across our food and beverage outlets.
Your shift may include prepping ingredients, cooking and plating dishes, keeping your section clean and organised, and helping maintain the flow of service. You’ll follow recipes and standards, keep food quality consistent, and play your part in minimising waste.
You’ll also play your part in keeping the kitchen safe, clean, and running smoothly - from equipment and workspaces to food safety and hygiene. This is a hands-on role that contributes directly to the guest experience, even if you’re behind the scenes.
Who We Are Looking For
You’ve worked as a Commis Chef before and feel at home in a professional kitchen. You understand service flow, can follow direction, and know how to support the team when it gets busy.
You take pride in what you put on the plate, care about cleanliness and food safety, and show up ready to contribute. You communicate well, work collaboratively, and take responsibility for your role on shift.
You’re reliable, adaptable, and flexible with your availability, including mornings, nights, weekends, and public holidays. You bring a positive attitude, a strong work ethic, and a no-ego mindset that fits right in at Drifter.
Why Work with Us?
Drifter is a welcoming and inclusive space where people come together to share stories and new experiences. We welcome guests and employees from all races, places, gender expressions and beliefs to be part of our team.
If you take pride in your work, are committed to excellence and want to be part of a welcoming and supportive environment, we’d love to hear from you.

Drifter is a new generation of hybrid hotel-hostels, designed for the free-spirited and the curious.
Launched in 2024 across Australia and New Zealand, Drifter blends premium private rooms with elevated shared suite options, offering travellers the comfort of a boutique hotel and the connection of a hostel.
With properties now open in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Cairns and Christchurch, Drifter and its sibling brand Little Drifter bring together a community of travellers through beautifully designed accommodation and thoughtfully curated communal spaces. Guests enjoy access to wellness studios, cinema rooms, coworking lounges, bars, libraries and social areas—each space designed to foster connection, creativity and a sense of place.
And we’re just getting started—with new Drifter locations set to open in Byron Bay, Auckland and Wellington.
Whether you're looking to rest, explore, create or connect, Drifter is designed for the young and young at heart.