Deputy Head Chef

Maryborough District Health Service; Shire of Central Goldfields; On-site; AUD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Maryborough District Health Service is seeking an experienced Deputy Head Chef to lead and support our kitchens across the MDHS campuses, delivering nutritious, high-quality meals for patients and residents.

Reporting to the Head Chef, you will oversee day-to-day kitchen operations, coordinate food production, supervise staff, implement menus, and ensure food safety and quality standards across Maryborough, Dunolly and Avoca.

Qualifications

• Experience in aged care, hospital or similar environments is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of food safety and special dietary requirements.
• Reliable, organised and able to work well under pressure.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Passion for nutritious, high-quality meals.
• Previous experience as a Sous Chef or senior chef.
• Certificate III or higher in Commercial Cookery (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Assist the Head Chef with the day-to-day running of MDHS kitchens
• Prepare and cook meals for residents and patients
• Cater for special dietary, allergy and texture-modified requirements
• Supervise and support kitchen staff across all three MDHS sites
• Maintain food safety, hygiene and cleanliness standards
• Assist with stock control, catering, ordering, documentation and food preparation
• Work efficiently during busy meal services
• Follow all workplace health and safety requirements

Skills

Senior kitchen leadership

Food safety

Team supervision

Patient-focused cooking

Aged care experience

Education

Certificate III in Commercial Cookery

Job description

Permanent Full-Time - 80 hours per fortnight

Bring your passion for great food and leadership to MDHS!

Are you an experienced chef ready to take the next step in your career? Join MDHS as our Deputy Head Chef and play a key role in delivering nutritious, high-quality meals that make a difference to our patients and residents every day.

The Deputy Head Chef supports the Head Chef in the delivery of high-quality food services across Maryborough, Dunolly and Avoca campuses, with a strong focus on food quality, consistency, dining experience and day-to-day kitchen operations.

Reporting to the Head Chef, the position provides senior operational support within the kitchen and assists with coordination of food production, staff supervision, menu implementation, food safety and quality assurance.

About The Role

• Assist the Head Chef with the day-to-day running of MDHS kitchens
• Prepare and cook meals for residents and patients
• Cater for special dietary, allergy and texture-modified requirements
• Supervise and support kitchen staff across all three MDHS sites
• Maintain food safety, hygiene and cleanliness standards
• Assist with stock control, catering, ordering, documentation and food preparation
• Work efficiently during busy meal services
• Follow all workplace health and safety requirements

About You

• Experience in aged care, hospital or similar environments is preferred
• Good knowledge of food safety and special dietary requirements
• Reliable, organised and able to work well under pressure
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• Passion for preparing nutritious, good-quality meals
• Previous experience as a Sous Chef or senior chef
• Certificate 3 or Higher in Commercial Cookery (preferred)

Why join us?

We pride ourselves on being a supportive and inclusive workplace, where staff feel valued and encouraged to grow. You’ll be joining a cheerful, hardworking team who truly put people first.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those returning to the workforce.

If you’re passionate about great food, enjoy working as part of a team and are ready to step into a senior kitchen role, we’d love to hear from you.

The Central Goldfields and Pyrenees regions are a great place to live, work and play - beautiful areas to explore, only 50 minutes from Ballarat & Bendigo, and two hours from Melbourne.

MDHS is an equal opportunity employer.

Appointments are subject to a satisfactory National Police Check and Working with Children Check.

NDIS Workers Screening

will be required for workers identified as working within a risk-assessed role.