Event / Bistro Chef

Elizabeth Andrews Corporate Catering; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Elizabeth Andrews Pty in Melbourne is seeking an experienced Event / Bistro Chef to lead both à la carte dining and large-scale event catering across multiple venues, including weddings, private celebrations and corporate functions. You will work closely with our Head Chefs, mentoring kitchen staff and contributing to menu development for diverse events.

Join a well-established Melbourne hospitality group with a focus on high-quality food, service and collaboration across a dynamic portfolio of

Qualifications

• A minimum of one year's experience in an à la carte chef role, with event catering experience highly regarded.
• Strong culinary skills and knowledge of cooking techniques and presentation.
• Experience working in busy, fast-paced commercial kitchens.
• Confidence in leading and supporting a kitchen team during service.
• Good organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities.
• Understanding of food safety, stock control and kitchen cost management.
• Strong communication and collaborative approach to working with others.
• A positive attitude, reliability and genuine hospitality passion.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with Head Chefs to plan and execute à la carte and event menus.
• Lead and supervise kitchen teams during preparation, cooking, plating and service.
• Oversee kitchen operations for weddings, corporate functions and events.
• Maintain consistency in food quality, presentation and service standards.
• Contribute to menu planning, recipe development and seasonal changes.
• Monitor food costs, portions, stock and wastage for profitability.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, hygiene and WHS requirements.
• Maintain a clean, organised and efficient kitchen environment.
• Mentor, train and support junior chefs and kitchen staff.
• Collaborate with events and operations teams to deliver seamless functions.

Skills

Leadership

Event catering

Culinary skills

Food safety

Communication

Organizational skills

Team management

Job description

About the Role

We are looking for a passionate and experienced Event / Bistro Chef to join our culinary team. This is a hands-on role offering the opportunity to work across both à la carte bistro service and event catering, from day-to-day restaurant operations through to weddings, private celebrations, corporate functions and large-scale events.

Working closely with our Head Chefs, you will play an important role in delivering high-quality food and service across our venues, including Harbour Room in St Kilda and other event locations.

You will be a senior member of our kitchen team, supporting and leading kitchen staff during service, contributing to menu development and ensuring our food consistently meets the high standards Elizabeth Andrews is known for.

Key Responsibilities

• Work closely with our Head Chefs to plan, prepare and execute à la carte and event menus across our venues and catering brands.
• Lead and supervise kitchen teams during preparation, cooking, plating and service.
• Oversee kitchen operations for weddings, corporate functions, private celebrations and other events.
• Maintain consistency in food quality, presentation and service standards.
• Contribute to menu planning, recipe development and seasonal menu changes.
• Monitor food costs, portion control, stock management and wastage to support profitability.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, hygiene and workplace health and safety requirements.
• Maintain a clean, organised and efficient kitchen environment.
• Mentor, train and support junior chefs and kitchen staff, encouraging a positive and collaborative team culture.
• Work closely with our events and operations teams to ensure seamless delivery of functions and services.

About You

We are looking for someone who enjoys the diversity of hospitality and takes pride in delivering great food, whether preparing an intimate à la carte dinner or catering for a large-scale event. Ideally, you will bring:

• A minimum of one year's experience in an à la carte chef role, with event catering experience highly regarded.
• Strong culinary skills and sound knowledge of cooking techniques, food preparation and presentation.
• Experience working in busy, fast-paced commercial kitchens.
• Confidence in leading and supporting a kitchen team during service.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• An understanding of food safety standards, stock control and kitchen cost management.
• Strong communication skills and a collaborative approach to working with others.
• A positive attitude, reliability and a genuine passion for hospitality.

Established in 1991, Elizabeth Andrews is a well-established Melbourne hospitality and catering group, encompassing corporate catering, private events, weddings, exclusive venues, retail cafés and à la carte restaurants.

With our main production kitchen located in West Melbourne, just a five-minute walk from the CBD, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional food and hospitality across our diverse portfolio of brands and venues.

At Elizabeth Andrews, we believe our people are at the heart of everything we do.

We offer the opportunity to work across a diverse range of hospitality experiences, from restaurant and bistro service to weddings, corporate events and exclusive venues.

You will be joining an established Melbourne hospitality group with a supportive team environment, experienced culinary leadership and opportunities to further develop your skills.