Head Chef

Minor Hotels; Cairns Regional; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career growth

Exclusive hotel deals

Global perks

Retail discounts

Wellness support

Parental leave

Birthday leave

Job summary

Oaks Cairns Hotel, part of Minor Hotels, seeks an experienced Head Chef to lead the kitchen team full-time. You will oversee all kitchen operations, drive menu development, ensure high standards of quality, hygiene, and service, and manage costs effectively.

You will inspire and manage culinary staff, implement seasonal offerings, and collaborate with management to achieve operational goals while maintaining brand standards.

Qualifications

• Certificate III or IV in Commercial Cookery or equivalent.
• Proven experience as a Head Chef or senior kitchen leadership role in hotel or high-volume settings.
• Strong leadership, communication, and financial awareness for cost control.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and manage the kitchen team to achieve high performance.
• Oversee preparation and cooking to ensure high quality and presentation.
• Plan, develop, and implement menus including seasonal offerings aligned with brand standards.
• Monitor food costs, inventory, and stock controls to meet budgets.
• Ensure WHS, HACCP and hygiene compliance across the kitchen.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe kitchen environment.
• Collaborate with management on training, rostering and staff development.
• Continuously review kitchen operations for efficiency and quality improvements.

Skills

Leadership

Kitchen management

Cost control

Food preparation

Education

Certificate III/IV in Commercial Cookery

Job description

Overview

Minor Hotels is one of Australasia’s largest accommodation providers, managing over 70 properties in the region and a global portfolio of 640 properties across more than 66 countries. Our brands, Anantara, Avani, Oaks, NH Hotels, NH Collection, nhow, and Tivoli, span six continents, including Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, the Indian Ocean, Europe, and South America. Joining Minor means partnering with a diverse, expanding global organisation offering boundless opportunities to thrive and succeed.

Overview

Minor Hotels is one of Australasia’s largest accommodation providers, managing over 70 properties in the region and a global portfolio of 640 properties across more than 66 countries. Our brands, Anantara, Avani, Oaks, NH Hotels, NH Collection, nhow, and Tivoli, span six continents, including Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, the Indian Ocean, Europe, and South America. Joining Minor means partnering with a diverse, expanding global organisation offering boundless opportunities to thrive and succeed.

Oaks Cairns Hotel

are looking for an experienced and passionate Head Chef to lead our kitchen team on a full-time basis. This role is essential in overseeing all kitchen operations, ensuring the highest standards of food quality, presentation, hygiene, and service are consistently delivered to guests. The successful candidate will inspire and manage the culinary team, drive menu innovation, and maintain efficient, compliant kitchen operations.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Lead, mentor, and manage the kitchen team to ensure high performance and adherence to standards.
• Oversee the preparation and cooking of meals to consistently high quality and presentation standards.
• Plan, develop, and implement menus, including seasonal and special offerings, in line with guest expectations and brand standards.
• Monitor food costs, inventory, and stock control to maintain budgetary targets.
• Ensure full compliance with Workplace Health and Safety (WHS), HACCP, and all hygiene regulations.
• Maintain a clean, organised, and safe kitchen environment.
• Collaborate with management to support operational and strategic objectives, including training, rostering, and staff development.
• Continuously review kitchen operations to identify opportunities for efficiency and quality improvement.

Shift Details (subject To Change)

• Flexibility to work across all meal services including breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Roster includes weekends and public holidays

Qualifications

To be successful in this role, you will require the following

• Certificate III or IV in Commercial Cookery or equivalent.
• Proven experience as a Head Chef or in a senior kitchen leadership role within a hotel or high-volume environment.
• Strong knowledge of food preparation, cooking techniques, and modern cuisine trends.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and team management skills.
• Strong financial awareness, including food cost control and inventory management.
• Must not work under pressure in a fast-pressed kitchen environment.
• Positive, proactive attitude and genuine passion for delivering exceptional culinary experiences.

Additional Information

At Minor Hotels, we value our people as the heart of our success. Joining Minor means, you’ll enjoy a rewarding package designed to support your professional growth, wellbeing, and work-life balance:

What We Offer

• Career Growth: Learning and development programs to boost your career.
• Exclusive Hotel Deals: 50% off stays at Minor Hotels in Australasia; 20% off for friends and family.
• Global Perks: International accommodation discounts across our hotel brands.
• Retail Rewards: Cashback and discounts at 400+ top retailers in AU/NZ.
• Experiences: Discounted entertainment and activities.
• Banking and Insurance: Exclusive health insurance offers and workplace banking benefits.
• Generous Leave: Parental and birthday leave.
• Wellness Boost: EAP and tailored wellness support.

Our people drive the success of our business; We are a dynamic organisation dedicated to delivering exceptional guest experiences. We invest in your skills and foster a workplace culture that celebrates innovation, collaboration, and personal growth.