Chef

Serco; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Five weeks annual leave

Flexible working hours

Role-specific training, including as a

Officer training opportunities

Supportive team environment

Career opportunities with Serco

Job summary

Serco is seeking a capable and practical Chef to join our catering team at Adelaide Remand Centre. You will help oversee breakfast, lunch and dinner for around 400 people daily, including prisoners and staff, while guiding prisoners in kitchen tasks and upholding safety and high food quality.

You will ensure meals meet dietary, medical, cultural and religious needs, supervise deliveries, and maintain records using computer systems in a structured environment.

Qualifications

• Certificate III in Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) or equivalent.
• At least five years’ experience in a large-scale catering operation.
• Solid understanding of food safety, hygiene, HACCP and hazard control.
• Experience coordinating food preparation and maintaining high kitchen standards.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and oversee nutritious meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• Maintain food safety, hygiene, HACCP and record-keeping procedures.
• Monitor dietary, medical, cultural and religious requirements to ensure suitable meals.
• Supervise prisoners undertaking kitchen duties with another officer.
• Receive and check deliveries, store and pack supplies correctly.
• Keep kitchen clean, manage food waste and assist with regular food safety audits.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Calm respectful adaptable

Computer skills

Education

Certificate III in Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) or equivalent

Tools

Computer systems

Job description

Serco is a place where you can grow

Your skills in the kitchen can make a real difference every day. At Serco, we’ll support you to grow your career while contributing to a safe, respectful environment where nutritious meals matter to the wellbeing of prisoners and staff.

You’ll also have access to benefits designed to support your wellbeing and work-life balance, including:

• Five weeks of annual leave to give you more time to recharge.
• Flexible working hours to help you manage your commitments.
• Meaningful work where your skills contribute to the daily wellbeing of others.
• Opportunities to develop your skills through role-specific training, including training as an officer.
• A supportive team environment where collaboration and shared knowledge are valued.
• Career opportunities with Serco, a global organisation delivering essential services to communities.

Make an impact at Serco

We’re looking for a capable and practical Chef to join our catering team at Adelaide Remand Centre. You’ll help oversee the preparation of breakfast, lunch and dinner for approximately 400 people each day, including prisoners and staff. Working alongside another officer, you’ll support prisoners to carry out kitchen duties safely and correctly while maintaining high standards of food quality, hygiene and workplace safety. You’ll also help ensure meals meet a diverse range of dietary, medical, cultural and religious requirements.

As a Chef in our Justice team, you’ll make a positive impact by:

• Preparing and overseeing the production of nutritious, wholesome and well‑presented meals across breakfast, lunch and dinner services.
• Maintaining food safety, hygiene and hazard control procedures, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, HACCP requirements and contractual standards.
• Monitoring special dietary requirements, including medical, cultural and religious needs, to help ensure everyone receives suitable meals.
• Supervising and supporting prisoners undertaking kitchen duties, working alongside another officer to ensure tasks are completed safely and correctly.
• Receiving and checking deliveries, ensuring food and supplies are handled, stored and packed correctly.
• Maintaining kitchen cleanliness, managing food waste and completing required records using computer systems, while supporting regular food safety audits.

Serco is a place for you

You Could Be a Great Fit If You Have

• A Certificate III in Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) or an equivalent qualification.
• At least five years’ experience in a large‑scale catering operation, with practical commercial kitchen experience.
• A sound understanding of food safety, hygiene, HACCP practices and hazard control procedures.
• Experience coordinating food preparation and maintaining high standards in a busy kitchen environment.
• Computer skills and the ability to maintain accurate records and follow established procedures.
• A calm, respectful and adaptable approach, with strong communication skills, integrity and the ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.

You’ll be comfortable taking responsibility, solving problems and maintaining high standards in a structured environment. You’ll also understand the importance of confidentiality, fairness and professionalism when working with prisoners and colleagues.

As part of your employment, you’ll need to successfully complete the required National Criminal History Check and obtain the necessary South Australian Department for Correctional Services approval.

In joining us, you’ll be part of a supportive culture with trusted leaders who will help you achieve your goals. You’ll have the opportunity to use your culinary skills in a role that combines hands‑on food preparation with supervision, safety and service. With flexible working hours and five weeks of annual leave, you can build a rewarding career while maintaining a healthy work‑life balance.

Are you ready to do important work that really matters?

At Serco, we bring together the right people, the right technology and the right partners to create impactful solutions that address some of the world’s most urgent and complex challenges.

We focus on serving governments all over the globe. The work we do has touched the lives of millions in Australia and New Zealand and offers unique opportunities to leverage your skills across our core capabilities in Health, Defence, Maritime, Justice, Immigration and Community Services.

We seek and celebrate diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds and cultures, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTQI+ people, veterans and people with disability.

By joining Serco, you’ll have access to Employee Networks led by colleagues who are passionate about diversity, inclusion and belonging.