Chef

Ks Investment Holding Group Pty Ltd; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

KS Investment Holding Group Pty Ltd t/a The Joy Parade in Blackburn, VIC is seeking an experienced Chef to join our cafe kitchen on a permanent full‑time basis. You will cook breakfast, brunch and lunch, contribute to menu development, and supervise team members as needed.

Applicants should have 2+ years in a busy cafe/restaurant kitchen, formal cookery qualifications, and strong knowledge of food safety. This hands-on role requires reliability, teamwork, and a focus on consistent quality.

Qualifications

• Relevant commercial cookery qualifications.
• Minimum 2 years of experience as a Chef in a busy cafe/restaurant.
• Strong knowledge of food preparation, cooking techniques, storage and safe handling.
• Experience in breakfast/brunch and lunch dishes.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain quality during high-volume service.
• Experience in menu development, stock control and kitchen operations.
• Ability to supervise and coordinate other kitchen staff.

Responsibilities

• Plan and develop menus in consultation with management, considering seasonal produce and customer preferences.
• Prepare, cook and present high-quality breakfast, brunch and lunch dishes.
• Monitor the quality of dishes at all stages of preparation and presentation.
• Ensure consistency in portioning, presentation, taste and overall food quality.
• Assist with menu costing, food cost control and portion management.
• Estimate food requirements and assist with ordering ingredients and kitchen supplies.
• Monitor stock levels, storage practices and inventory rotation.
• Examine food and ingredients to ensure quality and freshness.
• Supervise and coordinate the work of cooks and kitchen staff.
• Provide training and guidance to junior kitchen staff and apprentices where required.
• Ensure compliance with food safety and workplace health and safety requirements.

Skills

Commercial cookery

Menu development

Food safety

Stock control

Kitchen supervision

Organisational skills

Time management

Team player

Availability weekends

Education

Certificate III in Commercial Cookery

Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery

Australian/Victoria food safety certification

Job description

KS Investment Holding Group Pty Ltd t/a The Joy Parade, is a locally established café located in Blackburn, Victoria. We are seeking a qualified and experienced Chef to join our kitchen team on a permanent full-time basis.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Chef with a strong background in modern café cuisine who can contribute to all aspects of kitchen operations.

The successful applicant will be responsible for preparing and cooking high-quality meals, contributing to menu development, maintaining consistent food standards, supervising kitchen staff where required and ensuring the kitchen complies with food safety and workplace health and safety requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and develop menus in consultation with management, taking into account seasonal produce, customer preferences and operational requirements.
• Prepare, cook and present high-quality breakfast, brunch and lunch dishes.
• Monitor the quality of dishes at all stages of preparation and presentation.
• Ensure consistency in portioning, presentation, taste and overall food quality.
• Assist with menu costing, food cost control and appropriate portion management.
• Estimate food requirements and assist with ordering ingredients and kitchen supplies.
• Monitor stock levels, storage practices and inventory rotation.
• Examine food and ingredients to ensure appropriate quality and freshness.
• Supervise and coordinate the work of cooks and other kitchen staff.
• Provide training and guidance to junior kitchen staff and apprentices where required.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, hygiene, allergen management and workplace health and safety requirements.
• Maintain kitchen cleanliness and ensure equipment is properly maintained and used safely.
• Work collaboratively with café management regarding menu changes, seasonal dishes, daily specials and customer feedback.
• Maintain consistent food quality across dine-in and takeaway services.

Skills & Experience

To be considered for this position, applicants should have:

• Relevant commercial cookery qualifications, such as Certificate III and/or Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery, or an equivalent qualification.
• At least 2 years of relevant experience as a Chef in a busy café, restaurant or similar commercial kitchen environment.
• Strong knowledge of food preparation, cooking techniques, food storage and safe food handling.
• Experience preparing contemporary café-style breakfast, brunch and lunch dishes.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain quality and consistency during high-volume service.
• Experience in menu development, stock control and kitchen operations.
• Ability to supervise and coordinate other kitchen staff.
• Strong organisational, communication and time-management skills.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Availability to work across a rotating roster, including weekends and public holidays as required.

What We Offer

This is a permanent full-time position with an established Blackburn café and an opportunity to become an important member of our kitchen team.