Chef/Cook

Leaf Cafe & Co Broadbeach; Gold Coast City; On-site; AUD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Leaf Café Broadbeach is seeking a passionate, reliable Chef to lead breakfast and brunch preparation, plan menus, and drive kitchen operations with pride.

You will work closely with management to maintain high standards, manage service during busy periods, ensure food safety, and deliver vibrant cafe-style dishes reflecting our brand.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year of relevant experience as a Chef.
• Experience in a cafe or casual dining kitchen.
• Ability to manage prep, timing and workflow during service.

Responsibilities

• Plan and prepare breakfast and brunch services and events.
• Develop innovative, cost-conscious menus with seasonal ingredients.
• Accommodate dietary requirements.
• Monitor dish quality from prep to presentation.
• Maintain portion control and reduce waste.
• Supervise and train kitchen staff.
• Manage kitchen inventory and budget controls.
• Ensure hygiene and safety standards.
• Collaborate with management to deliver exceptional service.

Skills

Cafe kitchen experience

Australian cafe cuisine knowledge

Food preparation & plating

Kitchen operations management

Work under pressure

Menu development & creativity

Strong communication

Safety & cleanliness

Job description

We’re seeking a passionate, creative, and reliable Chef to join our team at Leaf Café Broadbeach. This role is perfect for someone who enjoys crafting fresh, vibrant café-style dishes and wants to contribute to shaping a menu that reflects our brand’s quality and personality. You’ll work closely with management to develop seasonal offerings, maintain high standards, and help create a kitchen culture that’s positive, efficient, and proud of its food.

About This Opportunity

We are looking for a passionate Chef to join our talented team on a full‑time basis. As Chef, you will be responsible for planning and directing food preparation and cooking activities, ensuring the highest standards of quality and presentation. This role involves both hands‑on culinary experience and effective kitchen management to deliver an exceptional dining experience. You will report to the Store Manager.

Experience: Minimum 1 year of relevant experience as a Chef.

Key Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include:

• Planning and organizing the preparation and cooking for breakfast and brunch services, as well as special events.
• Creating and developing innovative menus, considering cost and seasonal availability of ingredients.
• Accommodating dietary requirements.
• Monitoring the quality of dishes at all stages of preparation and presentation.
• Following portion control standards to reduce food waste and checking food rotation to ensure the freshness of all food products.
• Supervising and training Kitchen staff, ensuring consistency and high standards in food production.
• Managing kitchen inventory, ordering supplies, and maintaining budgetary controls.
• Keeping the kitchen outlet clean and always maintain a high standard of hygiene.
• Complying with all occupational health and safety policies and procedures.
• Performing work in a safe manner and use any safety equipment provided.
• Collaborating with management and other staff members to deliver exceptional service.

Skill & Experience

What you’ll bring:

• Experience working in a café or casual dining kitchen, with a strong understanding of modern Australian café cuisine
• Excellent food preparation, cooking, and plating skills, with an eye for detail and presentation
• Confidence in managing kitchen operations during service, including prep, timing, and workflow
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a small, fast‑paced team
• A proactive approach to maintaining food safety, cleanliness, and consistent quality
• Creativity and enthusiasm for contributing ideas to menu development and specials
• Strong communication skills and a calm, organised approach under pressure