Head Chef

Cobbs Hill Estate Pty Ltd; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 77,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

Cobbs Hill Estate is seeking a Head Chef to lead our kitchen in the Adelaide Hills, overseeing restaurant, garden dining, and events. You will shape seasonal menus that complement our estate wines and manage costs while mentoring a small team.

The role is hands‑on, with day‑to‑day leadership, strong collaboration with management, and a focus on delivering high‑quality dining experiences for guests and events.

Qualifications

• Previous experience as Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef with leadership responsibilities.
• Strong leadership and team development skills.
• Sound financial understanding of food cost control and kitchen labour management.
• Experience with functions, events and high‑volume service.
• Passion for local produce and seasonal cooking.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.
• Hands‑on approach and commitment to quality.

Responsibilities

• Lead all kitchen operations across restaurant, garden dining and events.
• Develop seasonal menus that showcase local produce and complement wines.
• Manage food costs, stock control, ordering, and supplier relationships.
• Train and mentor kitchen staff.
• Drive consistency, quality and presentation standards.
• Maintain food safety and compliance systems.
• Collaborate with management to develop new food experiences and events.

Skills

Leadership

Menu development

Food cost control

Staff mentoring

Events management

High-volume service

Job description

Job Description

Lead the kitchen at one of the Adelaide Hills' unique winery destinations.

Cobbs Hill Estate is looking for an experienced and passionate Head Chef to lead our kitchen team and take our food offering to the next level.

This is an opportunity for a chef who wants more than just running a service. We are looking for someone who can contribute ideas, develop menus, mentor staff, and play a key role in growing a destination hospitality venue.

This is an opportunity to have genuine creative input into our menus, work closely with our Venue Manager and hospitality team, and create food that complements our wines, beautiful estate setting and growing events business.

We're looking for a chef who is not only a strong cook, but an inspiring leader who can develop a team, maintain high standards and bring consistency and energy to the kitchen.

As a small kitchen team, this is a hands‑on leadership role. We're looking for a chef who enjoys working alongside their team, leading by example and being actively involved in day‑to‑day kitchen operations.

About the role

Lead the kitchen at one of the Adelaide Hills' unique winery destinations. As Head Chef you will lead all kitchen operations across restaurant, garden dining and special events, develop seasonal menus that showcase local produce and complement wines, manage food costs and supplier relationships, train and mentor kitchen staff, and work closely with management to develop new food experiences and event offerings. This is a hands‑on leadership role where you will work alongside your team, leading by example and being actively involved in day‑to‑day kitchen operations.

Key responsibilities

• Lead all kitchen operations across restaurant, garden dining and special events.
• Develop seasonal menus that showcase local produce and complement wines.
• Manage food costs, stock control, ordering, and supplier relationships.
• Train and mentor kitchen staff.
• Drive consistency, quality, and presentation standards.
• Maintain food safety and compliance systems.
• Work closely with management to develop new food experiences and event offerings.

About you

• Previous experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef ready to step into a leadership role.
• Strong leadership and team development skills.
• Sound financial understanding of food cost control and kitchen labour management.
• Experience with functions, events, and high‑volume service.
• Passion for local produce and seasonal cooking.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.
• A hands‑on approach and commitment to quality.

Salary package of $90,000 (negotiable) plus superannuation.

Wednesday to Sunday roster, mostly daytime hours, with a strong focus on work‑life balance.

Wine allocation from Cobbs Hill Estate range of cool climate wines.

A beautiful Adelaide Hills working environment.

The opportunity to help shape a growing winery restaurant.

Creative input into menus and food concepts.

A supportive management team.

An experienced kitchen team already in place.

A diverse operation spanning restaurant service, casual garden dining, and events.

About us

Nestled in the beautiful Adelaide Hills, Cobbs Hill Estate is entering an exciting new phase. We are evolving our food offering with a renewed focus on quality dining, regional produce, exceptional guest experiences, estate‑grown hospitality, and memorable events. We're creating a food and wine destination where guests can enjoy relaxed garden dining, memorable restaurant experiences, and celebrations that showcase the best of the Adelaide Hills.

Why Join Cobbs Hill Estate?

This is a chance to build something special.

We're creating a food and wine destination where guests can enjoy relaxed garden dining, memorable restaurant experiences, and celebrations that showcase the best of the Adelaide Hills. We are looking for a Head Chef who wants to be part of that journey.

We're looking for a chef who is passionate about the Adelaide Hills, its exceptional produce and wine, and the region's vibrant hospitality community. Ideally, you'll live locally or have a strong connection to the Adelaide Hills and be excited to become part of our estate and wider community.

Applications close on 23 September 2026