Chef

Rashi Joshi; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 80,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Rutherford Fine Foods Pty Ltd t/a Solo Pasta Fitzroy in Melbourne is seeking an experienced Chef to lead culinary operations and develop innovative pasta dishes. You will oversee food production, menu standardisation and quality control while driving efficiency in a busy kitchen.

The role requires a Certificate IV or higher in Commercial Cookery, at least one year of chef experience, and strong Italian cuisine expertise.

Qualifications

• Certificate IV, Diploma or higher qualification in Commercial Cookery or Hospitality (or equivalent).
• At least one year of relevant full-time experience as a Chef.
• Demonstrated experience supervising kitchen operations within a busy restaurant environment.
• Strong understanding of Italian cuisine, fresh pasta production and contemporary menu development.

Responsibilities

• Design, review and refine menus to introduce innovative pasta dishes, seasonal specials and Italian-inspired offerings.
• Develop, standardise and document recipes, production methods and plating specifications for consistency.
• Oversee daily kitchen operations by coordinating food production schedules and ensuring efficient service.
• Supervise, mentor and train cooks and kitchen staff in advanced cooking techniques and standards.
• Establish quality assurance by monitoring ingredients, finished products and customer feedback.
• Manage food costing, portion control and yield analysis to optimise profitability.
• Forecast purchasing requirements, approve supplier orders and assess ingredient quality.
• Create gluten-free, vegan and other specialised items with allergen controls.

Skills

Italian cuisine

Pasta production

Leadership

Menu engineering

Food costing

Organisation

Quality assurance

Education

Certificate IV / Diploma in Commercial Cookery

Job description

Target Business Services

Location: 293-295 Smith Street, Fitzroy VIC 3065

Salary: $80,000 - $85,000 plus superannuation

Position: Full-time, Permanent

Our client, Rutherford Fine Foods Pty Ltd t/a Solo Pasta Fitzroy, operates a contemporary Italian restaurant in Fitzroy, Melbourne, offering an innovative dining experience centred on freshly made pasta served by the metre. The restaurant combines traditional Italian cooking techniques with creative international flavours, complemented by a selection of handcrafted sauces and menu options catering to gluten-free, vegan and other dietary preferences. Through its commitment to premium ingredients, consistency and culinary innovation, the business has established a reputation for delivering high-quality dine-in and takeaway experiences. An opportunity is available for an experienced and motivated Chef to lead the culinary operations of the kitchen. The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing food production, menu development, recipe standardisation, quality assurance and kitchen leadership while ensuring the restaurant maintains exceptional food quality, operational efficiency and compliance with all food safety requirements.

Qualifications and Experience

• Certificate IV, Diploma or higher qualification in Commercial Cookery or Hospitality (or equivalent).
• At least one year of relevant full-time experience as a Chef.
• Demonstrated experience supervising kitchen operations within a busy restaurant environment.
• Strong understanding of Italian cuisine, fresh pasta production and contemporary menu development.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, review and refine menus to introduce innovative pasta dishes, seasonal specials and complementary Italian-inspired offerings while maintaining commercial viability.
• Develop, standardise and document recipes, production methods and plating specifications to ensure consistency across all menu items.
• Oversee daily kitchen operations by allocating work, coordinating food production schedules and ensuring efficient workflow during service periods.
• Supervise, mentor and train cooks and kitchen assistants in advanced cooking techniques, presentation standards and operational procedures.
• Establish quality assurance measures by monitoring ingredient quality, finished products and customer feedback to maintain consistently high culinary standards.
• Manage food costing, portion control and yield analysis to optimise profitability while maintaining product quality.
• Forecast purchasing requirements, approve supplier orders and evaluate ingredient quality to ensure reliable inventory management.
• Develop procedures for preparing gluten-free, vegan and other specialised menu items while implementing controls to minimise allergen cross-contamination.
• Monitor kitchen productivity, labour utilisation and service performance, implementing process improvements to enhance operational efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with food safety legislation, HACCP principles, workplace health and safety requirements and kitchen operating procedures.
• Coordinate preventive maintenance requirements for commercial kitchen equipment and recommend equipment upgrades where necessary.
• Collaborate with management on menu pricing, promotional offerings, seasonal product development and business growth initiatives.

Skills

• Advanced culinary expertise in Italian cuisine and fresh pasta production.
• Strong leadership and team development capabilities.
• Experience in menu engineering, recipe development and food costing.
• Excellent organisational, planning and decision-making skills.
• Strong understanding of commercial kitchen management and operational efficiency.
• Ability to maintain quality standards while managing high-volume service.
• Commitment to continuous culinary innovation and exceptional customer satisfaction.

If you are an experienced Chef with a passion for Italian cuisine, fresh handmade pasta and culinary leadership, this is an excellent opportunity to join an innovative restaurant committed to quality, creativity and outstanding customer experiences.