Chef

Johnson Property Group; City of Lake Macquarie; On-site; AUD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Johnson Property Group is opening a new restaurant at Watagan Park Estate and is seeking a hands-on cook to lead kitchen prep, operate a fast-paced line and help set up the kitchen and food operations for a welcoming guest experience.

You will prepare fresh meals, follow recipes, maintain hygiene standards and support the wider team to ensure smooth service during busy trading periods.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in fast food, QSR, takeaway or a busy commercial kitchen.
• Confidence working on a fast-paced cooking line.
• Experience with fryers, grills and high-volume food preparation.
• Good knife skills and food preparation experience.
• A strong understanding of food safety, hygiene and safe food handling.
• The ability to stay organised and work quickly under pressure.
• A focus on consistency, portion control and product quality.
• A positive attitude and willingness to help the wider team.
• Reliability, punctuality and a strong work ethic.
• Flexibility to work weekends, evenings and busy trading periods.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook food quickly, consistently and to recipe.
• Work confidently across a busy line, including fryers, grills and assembly.
• Complete daily prep and mise en place ready for service. Keep your section organised, stocked and ready throughout busy trading periods.
• Follow portion sizes, recipes and presentation standards every time.
• Maintain high standards of food safety, hygiene and cleanliness.
• Monitor product quality, freshness, stock rotation and holding times.
• Minimise waste and use ingredients carefully.
• Help with opening, closing and cleaning duties.
• Work closely with the kitchen and front-of-house team to keep service moving.
• Follow all company procedures and food safety requirements.

Skills

Fast-paced environment

Knife skills

Food safety

Reliability

Teamwork

High-volume prep

Tools

Fryers

Grills

Job description

You'll play a key role in bringing the new restaurant at Watagan Park Estate to life. You'll lead menu development and help set up the kitchen and food operations, while preparing fresh, high-quality meals and helping create a welcoming experience for our guests.

What you’ll be doing

• Prepare and cook food quickly, consistently and to recipe
• Work confidently across a busy line, including fryers, grills and assembly
• Complete daily prep and mise en place ready for serviceKeep your section organised, stocked and ready throughout busy trading periods
• Follow portion sizes, recipes and presentation standards every time
• Maintain high standards of food safety, hygiene and cleanliness
• Monitor product quality, freshness, stock rotation and holding times
• Minimise waste and use ingredients carefully
• Help with opening, closing and cleaning duties
• Work closely with the kitchen and front-of-house team to keep service moving
• Follow all company procedures and food safety requirements

What we’re looking for

We're looking for a reliable, hands-on cook who enjoys working in a fast-paced kitchen and takes pride in getting the basics right every time.

• Previous experience in fast food, QSR, takeaway or a busy commercial kitchen
• Confidence working on a fast-paced cooking line
• Experience with fryers, grills and high-volume food preparation
• Good knife skills and food preparation experience
• A strong understanding of food safety, hygiene and safe food handling
• The ability to stay organised and work quickly under pressure
• A focus on consistency, portion control and product quality
• A positive attitude and willingness to help the wider team
• Reliability, punctuality and a strong work ethic
• Flexibility to work weekends, evenings and busy trading periods

What we offer

This is an opportunity to join a growing operation within the Watagan Park Shopping Centre and be part of the continued development of the broader Watagan Park precinct.

You'll work with quality fresh produce in a supportive team environment, with the variety of combining food preparation and cooking with the fast pace of a busy retail seafood store.

As our retail and hospitality operations continue to grow across Watagan Park, there may also be opportunities to develop your skills and take on new opportunities within the wider group.

About us

Johnson Property Group is the property development group behind Watagan Park, a growing community in Cooranbong incorporating residential development, retail, hospitality and community facilities.

Our retail and hospitality businesses are an important part of creating a vibrant local community, and we're continuing to expand our offering as Watagan Park grows.