Executive Chef - Rydges Resort Hunter Valley

Rydges Hotels & Resorts; Lovedale; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dining discounts across EVT hotels

Movie and entertainment perks

Seasonal perks at Thredbo

Rapid career growth across our network

Paid parental leave

Job summary

Rydges Resort Hunter Valley is seeking an Executive Chef to lead a dynamic kitchen operation. You will guide a culinary team of up to 65, oversee high-volume production across multiple outlets, and craft seasonal menus that balance quality with commercial goals.

The role demands strong leadership, formal cookery qualifications, and deep knowledge of food safety and WHS. Collaborate with F&B and front-of-house teams to deliver exceptional guest experiences.

Qualifications

• Experience as an Executive Chef or Head Chef in a high-volume hotel or resort.
• Formal culinary qualifications (Certificate III in Commercial Cookery or equivalent).
• Strong leadership and team development skills.
• Commercial acumen including budgeting, cost control and waste management.
• In-depth knowledge of food safety, allergen management and WHS.

Responsibilities

• Lead, inspire and develop a culinary team of up to 65 chefs, cooks and kitchen hands.
• Oversee high-volume, multi-outlet food production across restaurant, conferencing, weddings and events.
• Plan and deliver seasonal menus balancing quality, guest expectations and commercial outcomes.
• Own food cost, labour, portion and waste targets; manage purchasing and supplier relations.
• Uphold highest standards of food safety, allergen management, hygiene and kitchen safety.
• Partner with F&B Manager and front-of-house teams to deliver seamless service.

Skills

Executive Chef experience

Leadership

Budgeting

Food safety

WHS compliance

Flexibility

Education

Certificate III in Commercial Cookery

Job description

Executive Chef - Rydges Resort Hunter Valley

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.

About the Property: Rydges Resort Hunter Valley sits in Lovedale, in the heart of the Lower Hunter wine country near Cessnock, about two and a half hours' drive from Sydney. The resort is set around an 18-hole golf course, with tennis and basketball courts, a gym, and both family and adults-only pools. Guests can enjoy tours and tastings at the on-site microbrewery and whiskey distillery, and casual dining at Lovedale Bar + Grill. The resort also has a full-service day spa. With weddings, conferences and events alongside restaurant dining, it's a busy, varied kitchen operation in one of Australia's best-known wine regions.

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, inspire and develop a culinary team of up to 65 chefs, cooks and kitchen hands, including hiring, rostering, training and succession planning across every outlet
• Oversee high-volume, multi-stream food production across restaurant dining, conferencing, weddings and major functions, approving all food that leaves the kitchen
• Plan and deliver seasonal menus that balance quality, consistency, guest expectations and commercial outcomes
• Own food cost, labour, portion and waste targets, managing purchasing, stock control and supplier relationships
• Uphold the highest standards of food safety, allergen management, hygiene and kitchen safety
• Partner closely with the F&B Manager, outlet supervisors and front-of-house teams to deliver seamless service

What You'll Bring

• Proven experience as an Executive Chef or Head Chef in a high-volume hotel, resort or large-scale events operation
• Formal culinary qualifications (e.g. Certificate III in Commercial Cookery or equivalent)
• Strong leadership skills with a track record of building and developing multi-level kitchen brigades
• Commercial acumen, including budgeting, food and labour cost control, and waste management
• Deep knowledge of food safety, allergen management and WHS compliance
• Flexibility to respond to changing occupancy, dietary requirements and event demands, including weekends and peak periods

How You Work

• Daymaker ethos - no one's too big for the small things.
• Hands-on and non-hierarchical - leads from the front.
• Owner's mindset - acts on data/feedback; ships improvements.
• Growth mindset - learns, shares, and levels up others.

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.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds.