Autonomous Event Chef — Buffet & Canapés Specialist

Surf Life Saving Victoria; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 64,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

Life Saving Victoria is seeking a Chef to join The Views team at Port Melbourne. This full-time role delivers high-quality food for corporate functions and onsite cafe, with autonomous kitchen responsibilities and a strong focus on safety and efficiency.

Sal ary: $75,000 per annum + 12% super. The successful candidate will manage end-to-end food preparation, uphold food safety standards, and contribute to a lean kitchen operation.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a commercial kitchen environment.
• Certificate III in Commercial Cookery and apprenticeship completed.
• Experience supporting or relieving a Head Chef.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, hygiene and safe work practices.
• Ability to manage prep, service and cleaning without close supervision.
• Hands-on approach with strong organisational skills.
• Clear communication and collaborative mindset.
• Basic Food Handling Certificate and Food Safety Supervisor certification.
• Working with Children Check (Vic) or willingness to obtain.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, cook and present food across buffet and event service.
• Work autonomously in a small kitchen, from prep to service and pack-down.
• Prepare ingredients on site, including sauces, stocks and pre-prepared items.
• Maintain a clean, safe and compliant kitchen with OH&S standards.
• Monitor stock levels, minimise waste, collaborate with venue and front-of-house.

Skills

Food safety

Hygiene

Communication

Organisational skills

Autonomous work

Education

Certificate III in Commercial Cookery

Cookery apprenticeship

Job description

Life Saving Victoria is Victoria's peak water safety and lifesaving organisation built on the proud traditions and programs of our founding organisations, the Royal Life Saving Society – Australia and Surf Life Saving Australia.

Lifesaving has been an integral part of the Victorian way of life since 1904. TodayLSV is a multifaceted volunteer-based community organisation with a focus on public safety and community wellbeing

Our volunteers, members,employeesand partners work together with communities, educational institutions, government agencies,businessesand the broader aquatic industry, to Save lives and empower communities to safely enjoy water.

Chef
We are seeking a Chef to join our team at The Views, based at our Port Melbourne site. This is a hands‑on role in a small, self‑contained kitchen, working closely with our head chef to deliver high quality food service to our corporate functions business as well as our onsite café.

This role is offered on a full‑time, ongoing basis, with an approved salary of $75,000 per annum + 12% super as well as access to salary packaging through remunerator.

The kitchen operates with a lean structure,typically consisting of the Head Chef and this role, with occasional support from a kitchen hand. As such, this position requires a chef who is comfortable working autonomously, taking end‑to‑end responsibility for food preparation, production and kitchen operations (including cleaning) and is willing to step up when required.

The role includes a strong focus on buffet‑style service, with canapé and event catering delivered as needed. Many ingredients and elements are prepared on site, and the role is also responsible for maintaining a clean, compliant and well‑organised kitchen.

About the role
In this role, you will:

• Prepare, cook and present food across buffet and event service including formal plated and canape events ensuring high standards of quality, consistency and presentation
• Work autonomously in a small kitchen environment, managing food production from preparation through to service and pack‑down
• Prepare ingredients and components on site, including sauces, stocks and pre‑prepared items, with a focus on efficiency and quality
• Maintain a clean, safe and compliant kitchen, including regular cleaning and adherence to food safety and OH&S requirements
• Monitor stock levels, minimise waste and work collaboratively with venue and front‑of‑house teams to deliver smooth service

About you
You are a capable and reliable chef who enjoys working in a small team environment where accountability, flexibility and professionalism are essential. You take pride in your work and are confident stepping up when required.

Additionally, you will have:

• Proven experience working in a commercial kitchen environment (café, restaurant, hotel or catering), with the ability to work independently
• Certificate III in Commercial Cookery and completion of a cookery apprenticeship
• Experience supporting or relieving a Head Chef or capability and willingness to step up and cover in the absence of the Head Chef
• Strong knowledge of food safety, hygiene and safe work practices
• Ability to manage prep, service and cleaning responsibilities without close supervision
• A practical, hands‑on approach with strong organisational skills
• Clear communication skills and a collaborative mindset
• Basic Food Handling Certificate and Food Safety Supervisor certification
• Victorian Employee Working with Children Check (or willingness to obtain)

How to apply:
LSV is always looking for enthusiastic, community minded individuals. If this opportunity sounds like you, please click on "Apply Now" to complete your application and upload your resume and a cover letter telling us why you are the best candidate for this position.

We will be reviewing applications as soon as they are received, so don't delay applying!

Research shows us that womenwon’talways apply for a role if theydon’ttick all the boxes. If you fall into that category we would love to hear from you, so we can access your ability and even if youaren’tready now, you might just be at out next intake.

LSV is an equal opportunity employer and a place who welcomes all. We encourage people with diverse experiences and backgrounds to apply. We are committed to fostering a workplace environment which is inclusive, safe, and flexible. All applicants will be considered based on the relevance of their abilities to the role and their alignment with our LSV Values.

LSV is committed to providing a welcoming environment where the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our programs, services, activities, events, and the broader community, will always be ourfirst priority. All staff must hold (or be able to obtain) a current Victorian Working with Children Check as part of their employment with us.

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