Chef

Labour Support Group; Ballarat; On-site; AUD 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

The Client Café Brewster in Wendouree VIC is seeking a full-time Chef to lead day-to-day kitchen operations, plan and deliver menus, and mentor a passionate team. The role offers an annual salary of $80,000 plus superannuation in a busy, high-standards kitchen setting.

You will manage menu development, stock control, and service quality while ensuring food safety and compliance. Weekend availability is expected as part of a dynamic cafe operation.

Qualifications

• Must have strong leadership and team coordination skills.
• Proven ability to plan and adapt menus.
• Solid knowledge of food safety, hygiene and HACCP principles.
• Excellent time management and attention to detail.
• Good communication and teamwork with front-of-house and management.

Responsibilities

• Develop menus that suit customer preferences, seasonal availability and business requirements.
• Estimate food and labour requirements and coordinate the ordering of kitchen supplies.
• Manage stock levels and help reduce food waste.
• Maintain consistently high standards across food preparation, cooking, presentation and portioning.
• Work closely with management, dietary professionals and front-of-house staff to address menu and food preparation requirements.
• Guide kitchen staff on cooking methods, preparation techniques and presentation standards.
• Prepare and cook menu items efficiently while maintaining quality during busy service periods.
• Ensure the kitchen complies with food safety, hygiene and workplace health and safety requirements.
• Assist with recruiting, training and supervising kitchen employees when required.
• Use appropriate freezing, storage and preservation methods to maintain food quality and freshness.

Skills

Leadership

Menu planning

Food safety

Time management

Teamwork

Communication

Education

Certificate IV in Kitchen Management or equivalent

Job description

Job Type: Permanent position | Full time position

Job Description

The Client Café Brewster is a popular modern Australian café restaurant in Wendouree VIC. They run a busy, high-standards kitchen with a passionate team. They are looking to hire a full-time Chef to join their team.

The Role You'll take a lead role in day-to-day kitchen operations such as planning and delivering our menu, maintaining consistent quality across every service, and developing the team around you. It's a genuine opportunity to grow with an established business and play a key part in its continued success.

This is a full time role with an annual salary set at $80,000 plus superannuation.

Responsibilities

• Develop menus that suit customer preferences, seasonal availability and business requirements.
• Estimate food and labour requirements and coordinate the ordering of kitchen supplies.
• Manage stock levels and help reduce food waste.
• Maintain consistently high standards across food preparation, cooking, presentation and portioning.
• Work closely with management, dietary professionals and front-of-house staff to address menu and food preparation requirements.
• Guide kitchen staff on cooking methods, preparation techniques and presentation standards.
• Prepare and cook menu items efficiently while maintaining quality during busy service periods.
• Ensure the kitchen complies with food safety, hygiene and workplace health and safety requirements.
• Assist with recruiting, training and supervising kitchen employees when required.
• Use appropriate freezing, storage and preservation methods to maintain food quality and freshness.

Requirements

To be successful in this role, you must have:

• Certificate IV in Kitchen Management or equivalent qualification
• Minimum 12 months of experience as a Chef
• Must have at least 12 months of experience in cooking over grill
• At least 12 months experience in protein marination, spice rubs, grilling, braising, slow cooking, searing, frying, slicing, and portion control
• At least 12 months experience managing mise en place, batch preparation, holding temperatures, prep lists, service sequencing, and made to order execution
• At least 12 months of menu planning experience, and know how to create new recipes and design menu according to budget
• Must know how to work with dietary requirements such as vegan, and gluten free food preparation techniques
• Must be able to work with variety of proteins including beef, pork, seafood
• Experience in adherence to recipe & portion control, as well as ordering and stock control
• Ability to follow instruction & take direction
• Excellent time management and attention to detail
• Knowledge of food safety and hygiene standards
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work as part of a team
• Be available to work on weekends to deal with many customers