Executive Chef (Pre-opening) - Flagstaff Gardens Hotel

EVT - Entertainment | Ventures | Travel; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dining & stays discount

Movie tickets

Seasonal perks at Thredbo

Career growth across EVT network

Paid parental leave

Pre-opening team experience

Job summary

EVT is seeking an Executive Chef (Pre-Opening) for Rydges Flagstaff Gardens Melbourne to lead all culinary operations for the new gastropub, conferences and events, and in-room dining. The role involves shaping the restaurant concept, menu design, kitchen setup, and operational structure from day one, as part of EVT's pre-opening team.

You will own the kitchen P&L, manage budgets, labour costs and stock, while mentoring a high-performing team and ensuring top food quality and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years' experience as Head Chef or senior leader in culinary teams.
• Experience leading teams in gastropub, bistro, premium casual dining or hotel environments.
• Strong financial management skills including P&L, budgeting and cost control.
• Proven ability to develop menus and drive food quality standards.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead all culinary operations across the new gastropub, conferences and events, in-room dining and private dining.
• Collaborate with General Manager and Area Executive Chef to shape the new restaurant concept and menus.
• Develop innovative menus aligned with market trends and EVT standards.
• Own kitchen P&L, manage budgets, labour costs, purchasing and wastage.
• Lead and mentor a high-performing culinary team, including recruitment and rostering.
• Uphold food safety and hygiene standards and address guest feedback.

Skills

Head chef leadership

Culinary team leadership

P&L budgeting

Menu design

Food safety compliance

Communication skills

Flexible roster

Job description

Executive Chef (Pre-Opening) | Rydges Flagstaff Gardens Melbourne

About EVT: Rydges Flagstaff Gardens Melbourne is part of EVT, one of Australasia's market-leading experience creators offering careers that can take you wherever you want to go across entertainment, ventures, and travel. In a world of cookie cutter experiences, here at EVT we believe in changing the game. It's why we all call ourselves Daymakers - because each day is a chance to add the wow factor for our customers and continually grow in our own careers.

Proudly owned and operated in Australia and New Zealand, Rydges offers refreshingly local stays in city, regional and resort-style hotels. We're not just in the neighbourhood, we're part of it. Every hotel is designed for ease, connection and quality. From check-in to check-out, our local heroes bring a can-do attitude and "too easy" service. Whether it's for work or a well-earned break, our place feels like home with the charm of somewhere new. Join us to help make every moment memorable.

Rydges Flagstaff Gardens Melbourne is undergoing an exciting transformation, with a full refurbishment of all 188 guest rooms, the lobby and the food and beverage offering, due for completion in December 2026. Opposite Flagstaff Gardens and next to Queen Victoria Market, the hotel will launch a brand new 106 seat gastropub. As our pre-opening Executive Chef, you'll help shape it from day one.

EVT has an endless range of roles and careers paths to explore across over 140 entertainment experiences like Event Cinemas and Moonlight Cinemas, 150 award winning restaurants and bars, and 80+ hotels, including QT, Rydges, Atura, LyLo, Independent Collection and Australia's most loved year round alpine resort, Thredbo. Our ventures include a ~$2.3B property portfolio and hotel management, just to name a few. Once you're in, there's no limits on where your career could take you.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all culinary operations across the new gastropub, conferences and events, in-room dining and the private dining room, ensuring consistent quality, presentation and service readiness
• Partner with the General Manager and Area Executive Chef to shape and launch the new restaurant concept, including menu design, kitchen set up and operational structure
• Develop innovative menus that align with market trends, guest expectations and EVT standards
• Own the kitchen P&L, managing budgets, food and labour costs, purchasing, wastage and stock control
• Lead, mentor and develop a high performing culinary team, including recruitment, rostering, training and succession planning
• Uphold food safety, hygiene and workplace health and safety standards, and respond professionally to guest feedback

What You'll Bring

• Minimum 2 years' experience as a Head Chef or in a comparable senior leadership role
• Experience leading culinary teams within a gastropub, bistro, premium casual dining venue or hotel environment
• Strong financial management skills, including P&L accountability, budgeting, labour management and cost control
• Demonstrated success in developing menus and driving food quality standards
• A strong understanding of current culinary and hospitality trends
• Proven people leadership, coaching and team development experience
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Availability to work a flexible rotating roster, including weekends, evenings and public holidays

How You Work

• Daymaker ethos - no one's too big for the small things.
• Owner's mindset - acts on data/feedback; ships improvements.
• Hands-on and non-hierarchical - leads from the front.
• Resilient and solutions-focused - stays calm, moves fast.

Perks from Day One

As part of EVT, you unlock Elevate Perks from your first day. Parity for all levels - no ivory towers.

• 50% off dining and stays across EVT hotels - QT, Rydges, Atura, LyLo and more.
• $2 movie tickets + discounts on Gold Class, Moonlight Cinema and Candy Bar.
• Seasonal perks at Thredbo.
• Rapid career growth across our hotel & entertainment network.
• Paid parental leave; community & volunteering opportunities.
• A rare chance to be part of the pre-opening team for a brand new gastropub concept.