Head Chef

seek.com.au; Canberra; On-site; AUD 108,000 - 132,000; Full time

Job summary

SEEK is seeking an accomplished Head Chef to lead the kitchen in Canberra. The role is Monday to Friday with daytime hours and a maximum 45-hour week. You will cook at a high level for a discerning clientele across dining, executive lunches, and private events.

You will have autonomy over menus, suppliers, and the direction of the food offering, with access to excellent produce and support to run the kitchen. The package starts at $120,000+ plus superannuation, depending on experience.

Qualifications

• Experienced Head Chef with broad cuisines and high standards.
• Ability to manage kitchen operations and staff.
• Strong emphasis on food safety and cost efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Menu development and seasonal changes.
• Food quality, presentation and consistency.
• Kitchen operations and service.
• Supplier relationships and produce selection.
• Food safety, compliance and kitchen standards.
• Cost control and kitchen management.
• Planning and execution of functions and events.
• Developing a positive kitchen culture.

Skills

Menu development

Food safety

Cost control

Kitchen operations

Supplier relationships

Leadership

Time management

Job description

Head Chef – Monday to Friday | $120k+ | Daytime Hours

Canberra ACT | $120,000+ + super | Maximum 45 hours per week

There aren't many Head Chef roles where you can cook at a genuinely high level, have real control over your kitchen and still be home most evenings.

This is one of them.

We are seeking an accomplished Head Chef to lead the kitchen within a premium corporate environment in Canberra. The role is Monday to Friday, predominantly daytime hours, with minimal work after 5pm and a maximum working week of 45 hours.

The trade-off for the unusually good hours? The standard is high.

You will be cooking for a discerning clientele across everything from daily dining and executive lunches through to private functions, corporate events and special occasions. Some days will call for restraint and simplicity. Others will give you the opportunity to produce genuinely impressive food.

Your kitchen

You will have significant autonomy over menus, suppliers and the direction of the food offering.

You'll have access to excellent produce, functional facilities and the support required to run the kitchen properly. This isn't a role where every decision needs to disappear through six layers of management before someone can order a box of tomatoes.

You will take ownership of:

• Menu development and seasonal menu changes

• Food quality, presentation and consistency

• Kitchen operations and service

• Supplier relationships and produce selection

• Food safety, compliance and kitchen standards

• Cost control and responsible kitchen management

• Planning and execution of functions and special events

• Developing a positive, professional kitchen culture

Who we're looking for

This role will suit an experienced Head Chef or highly accomplished senior chef who can demonstrate genuine technical ability across a broad range of cuisines and styles.

You should be equally comfortable designing an elegant lunch, producing sophisticated function food and delivering a beautifully executed everyday menu.

We're looking for someone who takes food seriously but doesn't need the theatre that sometimes comes with it. Calm, organised, creative and consistent.

Most importantly, you will want to own the kitchen. There is considerable freedom here, but with that comes responsibility for maintaining an exceptionally high standard.

The lifestyle

This is the part that makes the opportunity unusual.

Monday to Friday. Predominantly daytime. Minimal work after 5pm. Maximum 45 hours per week.

For a chef accustomed to nights, weekends and 60-hour weeks, it represents a very different way to have a serious culinary career.

The package starts at $120,000+ plus superannuation, with the final package dependent on experience and capability.

Applications will be treated in strict confidence. Further information regarding the organisation and operation will be provided to suitable candidates during the recruitment process.