Head Chef

Meteora Vineyard; Ballandean; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Long-term growth opportunities

Working in a design-led venue

Collaboration with winemaking team

Job summary

A premium vineyard in Ballandean is seeking a Head Chef to lead the culinary experience at its flagship restaurant. You'll create a seasonal Mediterranean-inspired menu using locally sourced ingredients. This role entails full ownership of the kitchen, building a high-performing team, and ensuring exemplary food safety standards. If you're passionate about redefining dining experiences in a luxury vineyard setting, we invite you to apply and be part of this exciting venture.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef in a quality venue.
• Background in Mediterranean, European, or produce-led cuisine.
• Strong commercial awareness with experience managing teams.
• Genuine interest in wine and vineyard dining culture.
• Commercial awareness with experience managing costs and teams.
• Genuine interest in wine and vineyard dining culture and a passion for creating a new benchmark in Queensland.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute a refined, seasonal menu for lunch and dinner.
• Build and lead a high-performing kitchen team.
• Establish high-quality food safety standards and kitchen systems.
• Manage food cost and suppliers efficiently.
• Managing food cost, suppliers, and kitchen operations.
• Working closely with management and ownership to create a unique ecosystem that defines our overall guest experience and brand vision.

Skills

Leadership skills

Cost management

Seasonal ingredient appreciation

Mediterranean cuisine knowledge

Calm and considered approach

Wine pairing

Job description

Lead the culinary vision of a landmark vineyard destination.

Meteora Vineyard is a brand-new, state-of-the-art premium winery setting the benchmark for a rapidly emerging wine region. We are seeking a talented and ambitious Head Chef to create and lead a dining experience at our flagship cellar door and restaurant from day one.

The Opportunity

You will shape a simple, seasonal Mediterranean-inspired menu derived from high-quality, locally sourced ingredients, designed to sit seamlessly alongside our estate-grown wines.

The offering will be elevated yet approachable: thoughtful, village-style food that enhances the overall vineyard experience.

Your Role

As Head Chef, you will take full ownership of the kitchen, including:

• Designing and executing a refined, seasonal menu catering to lunch and dinner guests as well as bespoke offerings for private events
• Creating dishes and food pairings that complement and elevate wine experiences
• Building and leading a small, high-performing kitchen team
• Establishing high-quality kitchen systems, food safety standards, and culture from the ground up
• Managing food cost, suppliers, and kitchen operations
• Working closely with management and ownership to create a unique ecosystem that defines our overall guest experience and brand vision

About You

• Proven experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef in a quality venue
• Background in Mediterranean, European, or produce-led cuisine
• Appreciation for seasonal ingredients, authenticity, and simplicity
• Strong leadership skills with a calm, considered approach
• Commercially aware with experience managing costs and teams
• Genuine interest in wine and vineyard dining culture and a passion for the creation of a new benchmark in Queensland's latest ecotourism project.

What Sets This Role Apart

• Opportunity to define the culinary direction of a new luxury vineyard
• Work within a design-led, architecturally significant venue
• Be part of a brand establishing itself as the leading destination in the region
• Close collaboration with management, and the winemaking team

Remuneration

• Long-term growth opportunity as the business expands

The Vision

Meteora Vineyard is not just a restaurant—it’s an ecotourism experience embedded in one of Queensland's most picturesque locations.

Our region-first initiative, opening soon will redefine the Granite Belt.

If you are a passionate chef who wants to create something meaningful from the ground up, apply now!