Cook

Vini's Cafe; Manly; On-site; AUD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Vini's Café in Manly is seeking an experienced, trade-qualified Cook to deliver high-quality à la carte dishes in a fast-paced kitchen. You will prepare from scratch, use sous vide and ovens, and manage station workflow while upholding HACCP safety and FIFO stock control.

You will participate in menu trials, plating to standard, and ensure consistency during peak service with an elevated presentation. Experience in pastry and daily prep is valued.

Qualifications

• Trade-qualified cook with relevant qualifications.
• Minimum 1 year of relevant kitchen experience.
• Right to work full-time in Australia.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced kitchen.

Responsibilities

• Execute kitchen opening procedures and prep for daily service.
• Prepare mise en place for peak service with precise knife work and marination.
• Prepare fresh pastries and baked goods from scratch.
• Cook complex meat, seafood, and vegetable dishes to order for à la carte service.
• Regulate temperatures and operate commercial equipment (sous vide, vacuum sealers, fryers, ovens).
• Maintain HACCP, stock control (FIFO), and sanitation standards.
• Assist with menu trials and recipe testing.
• Coordinate station workflow during high-demand service and ensure plating standards.

Skills

Knife skills

Butchery prep

Sous vide

Food safety HACCP

Station management

Menu testing

Plating & presentation

Education

Certificate IV

Food safety certification

Tools

Vacuum sealers

Deep fryers

Combination ovens

Job description

We are seeking an experienced, trade-qualified Cook to deliver high-quality à la carte dishes in our fast-paced kitchen. In this hands-on role, you will execute scratch preparation and butchery prep, cook complex meat, seafood, and vegetable dishes to order, and operate specialised equipment such as sous vide machines and combination ovens. You will manage station workflow during peak service, apply elevated plating standards, assist with menu trial testing, and uphold strict HACCP food safety, stock control (FIFO), and sanitation standards.

Key responsibilities

Execute kitchen opening procedures to ensure commercial equipment, raw ingredients, and individual workstations are fully operational and prepped for daily service.

Prepare full mise en place for main service periods, executing precise knife work, butchery prep, and ingredient marination while monitoring portion control to minimise food waste.

Prepare fresh baked goods and specialised pastry items from scratch in accordance with house menu specifications for daily service.

Cook complex meat, seafood, vegetable, and hot main dishes to order for à la carte service, and prepare pasta dishes with house-made sauces, rotating weekly based on seasonal ingredients, utilising established commercial cookery techniques.

Regulate temperatures and operate specialised commercial kitchen equipment, including sous vide machines, vacuum sealers, deep fryers, and combination ovens.

Apply elevated food plating and presentation techniques for all plated menu items, ensuring established recipes meet exact quality and visual standards before service.

Coordinate station workflow during high-volume à la carte service periods, seamlessly managing multiple dockets to meet high demand without compromising culinary quality.

Receive, inspect, and organise produce deliveries, conduct regular inventory audits, and manage stock rotation (FIFO) to optimise stock availability and quality.

Assist in menu design and execute trial recipe testing to evaluate flavour profiles, preparation efficiency, and seasonal ingredient integration.

Maintain strict adherence to HACCP food safety protocols, including temperature-controlled storage, allergen management, and comprehensive station sanitation and equipment maintenance.

About you

At least a relevant Certificate IV or above

A minimum of 1 year of relevant work experience

Must have the right to work full-time in Australia.

About us

Established in 2017, Vini's Café (operated by VINI & BROS PTY LTD) is a speciality venue located in the heart of Manly. Operating daily from 7:00 am for breakfast, lunch, and brunch, we offer a seasonal menu inspired by Australian classics with a modern, handcrafted approach. Our culinary philosophy centres on scratch cooking and preparing everything fresh on-site daily utilising established culinary techniques, maintaining a strong commitment to quality and presentation. Our operation is driven by a dedicated team of passionate professionals, focused on executing high culinary standards through on-site preparation, precise cookery, and fresh seasonal produce.