Head Chef

Kelsian Group; Fraser Coast Regional; Hybrid; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

SeaLink Employee Travel Allowance

ALL Heartists program access

25% off resort dining, retail and spa

Free island tours

Job summary

SeaLink K’gari seeks a seasoned Head Chef to lead culinary operations across multiple outlets at Kingfisher Bay Resort on K’gari (Fraser Island). You will guide a multi-skilled team, driving quality, safety, and memorable dining experiences in a world‑heritage setting.

You’ll manage cost control, stock, and rosters while shaping menus, maintaining HACCP standards, and mentoring your team in a dynamic resort environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior kitchen leadership role (Head Chef, Executive Sous Chef or similar).
• Background in high‑volume kitchen operations, ideally across multiple outlets or service styles.
• Certificate III or IV in Commercial Cookery (mandatory).
• Diploma of Hospitality Management (highly regarded).
• HACCP, Food Safety and Food Hygiene training.
• Strong communication, leadership, and organisational skills.
• The legal right to live and work in Australia.

Responsibilities

• Lead, train, and manage Chefs, Cooks, Bakers, and Kitchen Hands, fostering a positive and safety‑driven kitchen culture.
• Plan and develop seasonal and cost‑effective menus that make the best use of available, high‑quality product.
• Monitor guest feedback and satisfaction metrics, making proactive adjustments to continuously enhance the dining experience.
• Create and manage kitchen rosters aligned with operational forecasts, service demands, and budget requirements.
• Maintain all workplace health and safety protocols, including manual handling, chemical handling, and HACCP principles.
• Oversee training, development, performance evaluation, certification requirements, and recruitment needs for the kitchen team.
• Manage stock control, ordering, waste minimisation, and cost efficiency across all outlets.

Skills

Senior kitchen leadership

High-volume operations

Strong communication

Organisational skills

Team development

Education

Certificate III or IV in Commercial Cookery

Diploma of Hospitality Management

Job description

Live, Work and Lead on World Heritage-Listed K’gari (Fraser Island)

Benefits of Joining Our Team*

• Annual $1000 SeaLink Employee Travel Allowance
• Access to Worldwide ALL Heartists program
• 25% off resort dining, retail and spa
• Access toEmployee Training Programs
• EmployeeAwardPrograms
• Free island K'gari Explorer Tours
• Free ferry transfers to-and-from the island
• Working Life (EAP)
• Access to the Sandbar pool and staff gym

*Conditions and employment duration may apply

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced and inspiring Head Chef to lead the culinary operations across multiple outlets at Kingfisher Bay Resort on beautiful K’gari (Fraser Island). This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate leader to step into a diverse resort environment and shape unforgettable dining experiences surrounded by a world‑heritage national park.

As our Head Chef, you’ll guide a talented, multi‑skilled team, fostering a collaborative, high‑performance culture where quality, consistency, and safety always come first. You’ll bring creativity to menu development, strategic thinking to operational planning, and a hands‑on leadership style that motivates and develops your team.

In this dynamic role, you’ll oversee high‑volume kitchen operations, drive service excellence, and ensure all food preparation meets our high standards of presentation, taste, and hygiene. You’ll take ownership of cost control, stock management, and workflow optimisation while living SeaLink’s C.O.M.P.A.S.S. values each day.

With the chance to influence menu direction, implement process improvements, and mentor your team in one of Australia’s most unique island environments, this is an incredible opportunity to grow your culinary leadership career.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, train, and manage Chefs, Cooks, Bakers, and Kitchen Hands, fostering a positive and safety‑driven kitchen culture.
• Plan and develop seasonal and cost‑effective menus that make the best use of available, high‑quality product.
• Monitor guest feedback and satisfaction metrics, making proactive adjustments to continuously enhance the dining experience.
• Create and manage kitchen rosters aligned with operational forecasts, service demands, and budget requirements.
• Maintain all workplace health and safety protocols, including manual handling, chemical handling, and HACCP principles.
• Oversee training, development, performance evaluation, certification requirements, and recruitment needs for the kitchen team.
• Manage stock control, ordering, waste minimisation, and cost efficiency across all outlets.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in a senior kitchen leadership role (Head Chef, Executive Sous Chef or similar).
• Background in high‑volume kitchen operations, ideally across multiple outlets or service styles.
• Certificate III or IV in Commercial Cookery (mandatory).
• Diploma of Hospitality Management (highly regarded).
• HACCP, Food Safety and Food Hygiene training.
• Strong communication, leadership, and organisational skills.
• The legal right to live and work in Australia.

If you’re a driven, innovative culinary leader ready to take the next step in a stunning island setting, we’d love to hear from you.

Join us and help shape unforgettable guest moments every single day.

About us

K'gariis aWorld Heritage listed island off Australia’s Eastern Queensland coast, is the world’s largest sand island, stretching over 120km. With cool towering rainforests to walk through and explore, over 100 freshwater lakes to swim in, including the iconic Lake McKenzie and Lake Wabby, and an amazing beach highway, where else would you rather be.

SeaLink K'gari is part of SeaLink Marine & Tourism, one of Australia’s largest marine and tourism businesses with 11 business units across six states and territories, connecting our customers to many of Australia’s most beautiful island destinations and brilliant experiences.

With globally recognised brands such as SeaLink, Captain Cook Cruises and Kingfisher Bay Resort we are a team who go beyond what others will do and are invested in supporting the communities and customers we serve.

SeaLink Marine and Tourism is part of the Kelsian Group - Australia’s largest integrated multi-modal transport provider and tourism operator, with established bus operations in Australia, USA, Singapore, London and the Channel Islands.

We aim to provide meaningful and sustainable employment opportunities that are free from barriers, support and celebrate the diverse talents of our team members, improve awareness of the value of diversity and inclusion across our organisation, and enable our leaders to champion diversity and inclusion. We welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, LGBTQIA+, people with disability and people from diverse cultural backgrounds.