Buffet Catering Cook

Degani Bakery Cafe; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 34,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Casual role with full-time hours

Monday to Friday roster

Early start and early finish

Supportive team environment

Hands-on role in a busy catering

Broad buffet menu exposure

Job summary

Degani Bakery Cafe in Melbourne is seeking a reliable Buffet Catering Cook to join our busy catering production kitchen. You will assist with preparing and cooking buffet items, following recipes and maintaining high standards of quality and presentation.

The role supports daily corporate and event orders in a fast-paced team environment, with an early start and Monday–Friday hours. Experience in a commercial kitchen and strong knife skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Qualified cook or chef or equivalent trade-level experience.
• Experience in a commercial or high-volume production kitchen.
• Strong knife skills and ability to prepare proteins, vegetables and salads.
• Reliable, punctual and able to work Monday to Friday 5:30 am start.
• Knowledge of food safety, hygiene and allergen awareness.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook buffet items such as sirloin beef, salmon, chicken, vegetables and salads.
• Use strong knife skills to prepare ingredients accurately.
• Follow recipes, production lists and kitchen instructions.
• Portion, garnish and present buffet items to a high standard.
• Support daily catering production across cold and hot buffet items.
• Maintain food safety, hygiene and allergen controls.
• Label, store and handle food correctly.
• Keep work area clean, organized and safe.
• Support the broader kitchen team during peak production times.

Skills

Qualified cook or chef

Commercial kitchen experience

Knife skills

Food safety knowledge

Reliability & punctuality

Job description

Location: Melbourne
Employment type: Casual
Hours: Monday to Friday, 5:30 am to 2:00 pm
Classification: HIGA Level 4, Cook Grade 3 Tradesperson, casual

We are looking for a reliable and skilled Buffet Catering Cook to join our buffet catering team.

This role supports the preparation and cooking of buffet menu items, including salads, vegetables, proteins and other catering products for daily corporate and event orders. You will work in a busy production kitchen where quality, consistency, speed and attention to detail are essential.

About the role

You will assist with:

• Preparing and cooking buffet items such as sirloin beef, salmon, chicken, vegetables and salads
• Using strong knife skills to prepare ingredients accurately and efficiently
• Following recipes, production lists and kitchen instructions
• Portioning, garnishing and presenting buffet items to a high standard
• Supporting daily catering production across cold and hot buffet items
• Maintaining food safety, hygiene and allergen controls
• Labelling, storing and handling food correctly
• Keeping your work area clean, organised and safe
• Supporting the broader kitchen team during peak production times

About you

We are looking for someone who:

• Is a qualified cook or chef, or has equivalent trade-level experience
• Has experience in a commercial kitchen, catering kitchen or high-volume production kitchen
• Has strong knife skills and confidence preparing proteins, vegetables and salads
• Can cook and prepare food consistently to specification
• Works efficiently in a fast-paced team
• Takes pride in food quality, presentation and consistency
• Understands food safety, hygiene and allergen awareness
• Is reliable, punctual and available Monday to Friday from 5:30 am
• Can follow recipes, instructions and production systems

What we offer

• Casual role with full-time hours
• Monday to Friday roster
• Early start and early finish
• Supportive team environment
• Hands-on role in a busy catering production kitchen
• Opportunity to work across a broad buffet catering menu

If you are reliable, organised and enjoy working in a high-volume catering environment, we would love to hear from you.