Chef

Esculent - Old Reynella; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Esculent - Old Reynella in Adelaide is seeking a passionate and experienced Chef to lead our busy kitchen, delivering Australian cafe‑style meals, gourmet burgers and modern comfort dishes. You will oversee service from breakfast to dinner, mentor junior cooks, manage stock and costs, and uphold food safety, quality and presentation standards in a supportive team environment.

Competitive remuneration based on your skills and experience, with opportunities for menu input and professional growth

Qualifications

• Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery (or equivalent qualification).
• At least 1 year of experience as a Chef in a commercial kitchen or busy cafe/restaurant environment.
• Strong culinary skills and experience preparing Australian café-style cuisine, gourmet burgers, American-inspired dishes, and contemporary comfort food.
• Strong communication, organisational, and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook a wide range of cafe-style dishes and burgers.
• Ensure meals meet high standards of quality, flavour, and presentation.
• Assist with menu development and daily specials.
• Oversee daily kitchen operations across breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• Manage stock, orders, inventory, and wastage.
• Maintain food safety, hygiene, and kitchen cleanliness.
• Supervise and train junior kitchen staff.
• Ensure portion control and consistent plating.
• Monitor food costs and resource efficiency.
• Coordinate kitchen activities during busy service.
• Contribute ideas to improve menu variety and quality.

Skills

Culinary skills

Leadership

Communication

Education

Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery

Job description

About Us

Esculent is a welcoming cafe and restaurant in Old Reynella, South Australia, specialising in Australian cafe-style cuisine, gourmet burgers, American-inspired dishes, and modern comfort food. We pride ourselves on serving quality food and providing excellent customer service. We are currently seeking a passionate and experienced Chef to join our team and help deliver delicious meals and memorable dining experiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare, cook, and present a wide range of Australian cafe-style dishes, gourmet burgers, American-inspired meals, and modern comfort food.
• Ensure all meals are prepared to the highest standards of quality, flavour, consistency, and presentation.
• Assist with menu development, including introducing new dishes, seasonal offerings, and daily specials.
• Oversee daily kitchen operations, ensuring efficient food preparation and smooth service during breakfast, lunch, and dinner periods.
• Manage food stock levels, order ingredients and supplies, monitor inventory, and minimise food wastage.
• Maintain excellent standards of food safety, hygiene, and kitchen cleanliness in accordance with relevant regulations.
• Supervise, train, and provide guidance to junior kitchen staff, promoting teamwork and a positive working environment.
• Ensure accurate portion control, food preparation, and plating in line with established recipes and presentation standards.
• Monitor food costs, manage kitchen resources, and implement efficient practices to support profitability.
• Coordinate kitchen activities during busy service periods to ensure timely preparation and delivery of meals.
• Contribute ideas to improve menu variety, food quality, kitchen efficiency, and overall customer satisfaction.

Qualifications and Experience

• Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery (or equivalent qualification).
• At least 1 year of experience as a Chef in a commercial kitchen or busy cafe/restaurant environment.
• Strong culinary skills and experience preparing Australian café-style cuisine, gourmet burgers, American-inspired dishes, and contemporary comfort food.
• Strong communication, organisational, and leadership skills.

What We Offer

We offer a supportive and friendly working environment, competitive remuneration based on your skills and experience, and the opportunity to contribute creative ideas to menu development while working in a dynamic kitchen that values quality, consistency, and customer satisfaction.