Chef

The East Pantry; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full-time role

Supportive environment

Career development

Job summary

The East Pantry in Melbourne is seeking an experienced Chef to join our professional kitchen team. This full-time role requires a creative, quality-focused cook who takes pride in delivering consistently excellent dishes.

You will support the Head Chef, help manage daily kitchen operations, review menus, and contribute ideas using seasonal produce. A strong emphasis on food safety and teamwork is essential.

Qualifications

• Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery or equivalent.
• At least 2 years of full-time work experience in a similar position.
• Strong knowledge of cooking techniques and kitchen operations.
• Ability to work under pressure in a busy kitchen environment.
• Sound knowledge of food safety, hygiene, sanitation and WHS/OHS requirements.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, cook and present high-quality dishes in accordance with established recipes and standards.
• Assist the Head Chef with day-to-day kitchen operations and responsibilities.
• Review menus periodically and contribute ideas for new dishes using seasonal ingredients.
• Assist with calculating food costs for new dishes and monitor cost changes.
• Monitor the quality of dishes during preparation and presentation.
• Ensure junior staff follow correct cooking techniques, portions and presentation.
• Check freshness and quality of ingredients and rotate stock using FIFO.
• Maintain high hygiene and safety standards in the kitchen.

Skills

Certificate IV in Cookery

2+ years experience

Food safety knowledge

Time management

Teamwork

Kitchen operations

Education

Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery

Job description

About Us

The East Pantry is a well-established café restaurant located in East Keilor. We pride ourselves on providing quality food and excellent service to our customers. Our venue caters to a diverse range of patrons, and we are committed to maintaining high standards across our kitchen and dining operations.

We are currently seeking an experienced and passionate Chef to join our professional and supportive kitchen team.

The Role

A full-time position is available for a skilled and creative Chef who has a genuine passion for food and takes pride in delivering consistently high-quality dishes.

As part of your duties and responsibilities, you will:

• Prepare, cook and present high-quality dishes in accordance with established recipes and standards.
• Assist the Head Chef with the day-to-day running and operation of the kitchen and undertake additional responsibilities when required.
• Review menus periodically and contribute ideas for new dishes, including dishes based on seasonal ingredients and customer preferences.
• Assist with calculating food costs for new dishes and monitoring cost changes for existing menu items.
• Monitor the quality of dishes throughout preparation and presentation.
• Ensure junior kitchen staff follow appropriate cooking techniques, portioning and presentation standards.
• Check the freshness and quality of ingredients and other food products.
• Ensure stock is rotated appropriately in accordance with the FIFO (First In, First Out) method.
• Monitor food preparation, storage and handling practices to ensure appropriate hygiene and food safety standards are maintained.
• Ensure compliance with applicable workplace health and safety (WHS/OH&S), sanitation and kitchen hygiene requirements.
• Assist with stock control, ordering and minimising food wastage.
• Maintain a clean, organised and efficient kitchen environment.
• Work collaboratively with other kitchen and front-of-house staff to ensure efficient service.

The Applicant

To be successful in this position, you should:

• Hold a Certificate IV in Commercial Cookeryor an equivalent relevant qualification.
• Have at least 2 year of relevant full-time work experience in a similar position.
• Demonstrate strong knowledge of food preparation, cooking techniques and kitchen operations.
• Have the ability to consistently produce high-quality dishes.
• Be capable of working efficiently under pressure in a busy and fast-paced kitchen environment.
• Have sound knowledge of food safety, hygiene, sanitation and WHS/OH&S requirements.
• Have good organisational and time-management skills.
• Be reliable, motivated and able to work effectively as part of a team.
• Have strong attention to detail, particularly regarding food quality, portioning and presentation.
• Be flexible and available to work across a rotating roster, including nights, weekends and public holidays as required.

• Full-time and ongoing employment
• Supportive and professional working environment
• Opportunity to work as part of an experienced kitchen team
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression