FULL-TIME COOK

Business Nest; Saint Kilda Junction; On-site; AUD 75,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

Little Dreamer Cafe in Victoria, Australia is seeking a skilled and dedicated full-time Cook to join our fast-growing, quality-focused kitchen. You will prepare, cook and present meals, supporting the Head Chef and maintaining HACCP standards with a strong emphasis on consistency and efficiency.

Applicants should have Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery, at least 1 year of professional kitchen experience, and the ability to work across Asian and Western cuisines.

Qualifications

• Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery.
• Minimum 1 year of professional kitchen experience.
• Experience in both Asian and Western kitchens is highly desirable.
• Strong knife skills and seafood preparation; Japanese cuisine experience preferred.
• Experience in preparing and managing food for large-scale events.

Responsibilities

• Preparation, cooking and presenting meals.
• Demonstrate excellent food preparation practices, portion control and end to end food production.
• Take responsibility for delivering the highest measures of food production and presentation.
• Ensure all dishes are prepared and cooked to consistent company standards.
• Assisting the Head Chef in preparing meals.
• Manage food costs and ensure efficient kitchen operations.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers.
• Train, mentor, and support kitchen staff to maintain high performance.
• Maintain food logs. Monitor the quality and quantity of food that is prepared.
• Assist with stock ordering and monitoring procedures.
• Maintain food quality, properly handle ingredients, and manage stock rotation in accordance with HACCP requirements.
• Clean and maintain kitchen equipment and workstations.
• Uphold exceptional standards of food preparation, presentation, and hygiene at all times.
• Conduct weekly stock takes, place orders, and monitor wastage levels.

Skills

Kitchen experience

Knife skills

Seafood prep

Event catering

Japanese cuisine

Education

Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery

Job description

SALARY $75,000-$82,000 + SUPERANNUATION

Little Dreamer Cafe is seeking a skilled and dedicated full-time Cook to join our team. We are looking for someone who is passionate about food, committed to excellence, and ready to contribute to a fast-growing, quality-focused kitchen environment.

Applications open on 9 October 2026 and close on 8 November 2026.

Key Responsibilities

Duties

• Preparation, cooking and presenting meals.
• Demonstrate excellent food preparation practices, portion control and end to end food production.
• Take responsibility for delivering the highest measures of food production and presentation.
• Ensure all dishes are prepared and cooked to consistent company standards.
• Assisting the Head Chef in preparing meals.
• Manage food costs and ensure efficient kitchen operations.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers.
• Train, mentor, and support kitchen staff to maintain high performance.
• Maintain food logs. Monitor the quality and quantity of food that is prepared.
• Assist with stock ordering and monitoring procedures.
• Maintain food quality, properly handle ingredients, and manage stock rotation in accordance with HACCP requirements.
• Clean and maintain kitchen equipment and workstations.
• Uphold exceptional standards of food preparation, presentation, and hygiene at all times.
• Conduct weekly stock takes, place orders, and monitor wastage levels.

Skill & Experience

Required Skills

• Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery.
• Minimum 1 year of professional kitchen experience.
• Experience in both Asian and Western kitchens is highly desirable, as we aim to expand our fusion cuisine offerings.
• Strong knife skills and the ability to independently prepare a variety of seafood; prior experience in Japanese cuisine is preferred.
• Proven experience in preparing and managing food for large-scale events or functions and events management.

Additional Comments

• Fluent in English; Mandarin proficiency is an advantage.
• Passionate, motivated, and committed to high standards; takes pride in delivering excellent results.
• Fast-learning, adaptable, and able to handle multiple tasks effectively.
• Familiarity with Chinese business culture, norms, and customer preferences is beneficial.
• Must have a flexible schedule and be available for work aligned with event requirements.