Chef

Respect Group Limited; Toowoomba Regional; On-site; AUD 79,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Respect Aged Care is seeking a Food Services Chef to lead the Oakey kitchen operations at McLean CWA House, delivering nutritious, well‑balanced meals for residents. This full‑time role requires proven aged care cooking experience, strong leadership of a kitchen team, menu planning, stock control and strict hygiene and WHS compliance.

You will manage daily staffing rosters, uphold quality standards, liaise with suppliers to minimise waste, and benefit from a base salary of $79,000–$85,000 plus

Qualifications

• Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery or equivalent trade qualification.
• Food Handling Course.
• Experience in hospitality and aged care cooking.
• Current National Police Certificate or ability to obtain, NDIS Check and Aged Care Worker Screening compliance.

Responsibilities

• Supervise daily kitchen operations in an aged care setting.
• Lead menu planning, food preparation, service and quality control while maintaining hygiene and WHS standards.
• Order stock, manage inventory, suppliers and cost control to minimise waste.
• Roster, delegate and support kitchen staff to ensure efficient workflows.
• Ensure health and safety standards are consistently met and residents’ needs are prioritised.

Skills

Aged care cooking experience

Hospitality experience

Team leadership

Education

Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery

Trade qualification

Job description

Are you a passionate and experienced cook looking to make a real impact in aged care? Respect Aged Care is currently seeking a Food Services Chef to join our hospitality team at McLean CWA House in Oakey. This is a Full-time position.We’re looking for someone with proven experience in aged care cooking for large sites. Flexibility to work across all shifts is essential.

About Us

Since 1922, Respect Aged Care has served older Australians through high-quality care and community. As a proud not-for-profit organisation, our focus is on giving back to older adults by fostering communities of belonging, where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

With our headquarters on Tasmania’s northwest coast, we continue to grow — with numerous aged care homes, home care services across multiple states, and more than 700 units in retirement villages and independent living communities across Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania.

About the Role

Looking for a leadership role where your skills truly make an impact?

As our Chef, you’ll lead the full operation of our aged care kitchen, guiding a dedicated team to deliver high‑quality, nutritious meals that support the health and wellbeing of our residents.

You’ll take ownership of daily operations, including menu planning and food preparation, while ensuring the highest standards of hygiene, safety, and quality are consistently met. Experience as a Chef in aged care will be highly regarded and considered a strong advantage.

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise daily kitchen operations in an aged care setting, delivering high‑quality, nutritious meals that meet resident needs
• Manage menu planning, food preparation, service, and quality control while maintaining strict food safety, hygiene, and WHS standards
• Order stock and manage inventory, suppliers, and cost control to ensure efficient kitchen operations and minimal waste
• Lead, roster, delegate, and support kitchen staff, ensuring effective workflows, coverage, and a positive team culture
• Previous experience as a Chef essential (aged care experience highly regarded) with relevant trade qualifications; full‑time, Monday to Friday role offering excellent work–life balance

Essential Requirements

• Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery or Trade Qualification
• Food Handling Course.
• Demonstrated experience in hospitality.
• Experience in aged care cooking, particularly in large‑scale settings
• Current National Police Certificate (or ability to obtain).
• NDIS Check
• Computer literacy
• Must meet Aged Care Worker Screening legislative requirements.

*The successful candidate will receive a base salary between the range of $79,000 - $85,000.

Why Join Respect?

• Supportive and inclusive workplace culture.
• Competitive salary with not‑for‑profit salary packaging benefits.
• Opportunities for career advancement and professional development.
• Make a meaningful difference in the lives of older Australians.