Chef/Cook

Milawa Cheese Company; Milawa; On-site; AUD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Milawa Cheese Company invites applications for a chef/cook who can lead a small kitchen team in a daytime cafe setting, serving breakfast and lunch seven days a week. You will work with seasonal local produce, help shape the menu, and ensure high standards of food quality and presentation.

The role emphasizes collaboration with front-of-house and a commitment to consistent, waste-conscious cooking without night shifts. North East Victoria-based operation, supportive team culture.

Qualifications

• Lead a tight, calm kitchen and supervise a small team.
• Prepare and cook menu items to an industry standard.
• Develop a seasonal menu that evolves with produce.
• Maintain presentation quality and consistency across dishes.
• Keep food safety, hygiene, and HACCP procedures in strict compliance.
• Monitor stock levels and assist with stock rotation to minimise waste.

Responsibilities

• Lead a small kitchen team across breakfast and lunch shifts.
• Prepare and cook menu items with a focus on local produce.
• Contribute to seasonal menu development and kitchen operations.
• Ensure consistent presentation and portion control.
• Maintain HACCP compliance and high hygiene standards.
• Coordinate with front-of-house to ensure smooth service.

Skills

Team leadership

Food preparation

Menu development

HACCP knowledge

Job description

The Terrace Milawa is an extension of Milawa Cheese Company's hospitality. We are adding to our kitchen team that celebrates proper local produce, cheese, bread, meat, vegetables. All of it treated with respect.

If you’re the kind of cook or chef who gets excited about what’s in season, not what’s trending, we would love to hear from you.

We are looking for a chef/cook as strong second. We operate 7 days per week from 8am (kitchen closes at 3:30)

Weekends are a must.

What we’re about

Based in North East Victoria.

Simple, generous, good food.

You might be the one if you:

• can assist in running a tight, calm kitchen
• know how to make simple food taste exceptional
• enjoy working with local producers and ingredients
• want to have a say in the menu, not just follow one
• across your food & staff costs

The gig

• Daytime cafe hours, Breakfast & lunch (no nights)
• Lead a small team
• Seasonal menu, always evolving

Key Responsibilities

Food Preparation

• Prepare and cook menu items to an industry standard.
• General cooking, baking, pastry cooking or butchering with minimal inspiration.
• Ensure consistency of presentation.
• Prepare a full range of cooking operations independently or under supervision.
• Maintain strict food safety compliance and hygiene standards.
• Follow HACCP procedures.
• Monitor stock levels and assist with basic stock rotation.
• Minimize wastage.

Teamwork

• Communicate effectively with front-of-house staff.
• Contribute to menu development.
• Operate under instruction of head chef.