Head Chef

Argyle House Camden; Camden; On-site; AUD 117,000 - 143,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Staff development

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Argyle House Camden is looking for an experienced Head Chef to lead day-to-day kitchen operations in a high-volume, function-driven venue. You will own food cost control, staff rostering, and menu development with the Executive Chef, ensuring premium dining standards across events.

Weekend functions, weddings and events form core trade; you’ll mentor a team, uphold food safety, and drive consistent presentation across set menus and à la carte offerings in a celebrated heritage venue.

Qualifications

• Senior kitchen experience with leadership responsibilities.
• Strong understanding of food costing and margins.
• Proven ability to manage a busy, function-driven venue.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support kitchen staff across daily service, private functions and events, working closely with the Executive Chef.
• Manage food costs, portion control and stock levels, and liaise with suppliers to protect margins without compromising quality.
• Plan and contribute to menus, including set menus for functions and the à la carte offering.
• Oversee food preparation, cooking and plating to a consistently high standard.
• Maintain full compliance with food safety and hygiene regulations as the venue's Food Safety Supervisor.
• Roster, train and mentor kitchen staff, and manage kitchen operations across weekends and peak trading periods.
• Maintain a clean, organised and safe kitchen in line with WHS requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Food costing

Supplier management

Staff training

Menu development

HACCP / Food safety

Education

Certificate III in Commercial Cookery

Job description

Argyle House Camden is a heritage venue reimagined for modern dining, known for our "Modern Heritage Gastronomy" and chef led approach to private dining, functions, weddings, corporate events and celebrations. Set across our dining rooms, balcony and terrace, we've built a reputation for artfully plated food, premium service and a genuine sense of occasion, and we're now expanding to meet growing demand.

Head Chef

Argyle House Camden

• Full time · $130,000pa

About Argyle House Camden

Argyle House Camden is a heritage venue reimagined for modern dining, known for our "Modern Heritage Gastronomy" and chef led approach to private dining, functions, weddings, corporate events and celebrations. Set across our dining rooms, balcony and terrace, we've built a reputation for artfully plated food, premium service and a genuine sense of occasion, and we're now expanding to meet growing demand.

About the Role

As we grow, we're looking for an experienced Head Chef to work alongside our Executive Chef, helping to lead kitchen operations across a busy, function driven venue. You'll take real ownership of day to day service, food cost control and team leadership, while contributing to menu development and maintaining the standard of food and presentation our guests expect.

This is a hands on leadership role in a premium, high volume kitchen. Weekend work is a core part of the role, as our busiest trade, including functions, weddings and events, falls on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support kitchen staff across daily service, private functions and events, working closely with the Executive Chef
• Manage food costs, portion control and stock levels, and liaise with suppliers to protect margins without compromising quality
• Plan and contribute to menus, including set menus for functions and the à la carte offering
• Oversee food preparation, cooking and plating to a consistently high standard
• Maintain full compliance with food safety and hygiene regulations as the venue's Food Safety Supervisor
• Roster, train and mentor kitchen staff, and manage kitchen operations across weekends and peak trading periods
• Maintain a clean, organised and safe kitchen in line with WHS requirements

About You

• Certificate III in Commercial Cookery (or equivalent trade qualification) and several years' experience in a senior kitchen role, ideally as a Head Chef or Sous Chef
• Strong, hands on understanding of food costing, margins and supplier management
• Current NSW Food Safety Supervisor certificate (or willingness and eligibility to obtain one)
• Proven leadership skills, with the ability to train, motivate and manage a team under pressure
• A genuine passion for high quality, premium dining and presentation
• Availability and willingness to work weekends, given our functions and events schedule

What We Offer

• $130,000 per annum
• The opportunity to work alongside our Executive Chef in a growing, premium Camden venue
• A genuine path for career growth as Argyle House Camden expands
• A supportive, experienced team and a kitchen with real standards