Head Chef

Lutheran-Homes-Group; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages

Salary packaging up to $15,900 tax‑fee

Free confidential counselling

Free annual influenza vaccination

Discounts on retail, lifestyle and ins

Job summary

Lutheran Homes Group in Glynde, SA is seeking a Head Chef to lead our kitchen team and deliver nutritious, high-quality meals for residents. This permanent full-time role focuses on food service excellence and patient wellbeing, working with the Hotel Services Manager.

You will oversee menu planning, ensure food safety and compliance, manage stock and costs, mentor staff, and maintain strong resident relations while contributing to an aged care environment that values dignity and choice.

Qualifications

• Min 4 years' experience in a Chef role.
• Formal Chef qualifications required.
• Strong food safety and quality control systems.
• Knowledge of Aged Care Quality Standards.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
• Strong communication and stakeholder relationship skills.
• Experience supervising kitchen staff.

Responsibilities

• Leading a high-performing kitchen team to deliver outstanding food services.
• Creating fresh, nutritious meals that delight residents and support their wellbeing.
• Maintaining excellence in food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance.
• Managing stock, costs, catering requests, and day-to-day kitchen operations.
• Supporting Café operations.
• Building meaningful resident connections and continuously improving the dining experience.

Skills

Food safety

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Team leadership

Education

Formal Chef qualifications

Tools

Food quality systems

Job description

Location: Glynde
Employment Type: Permanent Full Time

Roster: Tuesday to Saturday
Shifts: Morning shifts available with start times of 6:00am or 9:00am.

About Lutheran Homes Group

Lutheran Homes Group (LHG) is a leading not-for-profit provider of Home and Community Support, Retirement Living, and Residential Care across South Australia and Victoria. Our organisation provides services to over 2,000 residents, supported by a dedicated team of 1,500 staff and volunteers. Together, we deliver personalised care that empowers ageing Australians to live with dignity and choice. Committed to quality care, innovation, and staff development, we continue to grow and set new standards of excellence while making a positive impact on the lives of those we support.

What We Offer

• Competitive wages in line with the Aged Care Award
• Ongoing training, professional development, and genuine opportunities for career progression
• Meaningful work that makes a real difference in the lives of ageing Australians every day

Your Pay and Benefits at a Glance

• Competitive hourly rate plus superannuation
• Access to salary packaging of up to $15,900 tax-free each year, plus the ability to salary package an additional $2,650 for eligible meal entertainment and holiday accommodation expenses
• Free confidential counselling and wellbeing support for you and your immediate family
• Free annual influenza vaccination
• Exclusive retail, lifestyle, and insurance discounts

About the Role

As our Head Chef, you will play a vital role in enhancing the wellbeing of our residents through nutritionally, delicious, and thoughtfully prepared meals. Leading and mentoring the kitchen team, you will ensure food services are delivered to the highest standards, creating positive dining experiences that meet the diverse needs and preferences of those we support. Working closely with the Hotel Services Manager, you will champion quality, safety, and excellence in every aspect of food service delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading a high-performing kitchen team to deliver outstanding food services.
• Creating fresh, nutritious meals that delight residents and support their wellbeing.
• Maintaining excellence in food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance.
• Managing stock, costs, catering requests, and day-to-day kitchen operations.
• Supporting Café operations
• Building meaningful resident connections and continuously improving the dining experience.

What You Will Need

• Min 4 years ` experience in a Chef role
• Formal Chef qualifications - Essential
• Food quality and control systems
• Policies, guidelines, standard operating procedures (instruction to be provided)
• Aged Care Quality Standards
• Strong organisational, time management and prioritisation skills
• Well-developed communication (face-to-face and written) and interpersonal skills to develop strong, professional relationships with all internal/external stakeholders
• Supervision. Ability to bring out the best in others.

Candidates will be required to undergo a pre-employment medical assessment and must hold a current NDIS Worker Clearance. In line with current health guidelines for the aged care sector, candidates are strongly encouraged to be up to date with all recommended vaccinations.

Lutheran Homes Group is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants of all backgrounds and faiths who share our commitment to caring for others.

Applications close 18 September 2026, 5pm

Please note we are not accepting recruitment agency applications at this time.