Head Chef

Gennari Group; Gold Coast City; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Loose Moose and Roosevelt Lounge are seeking a Head Chef to lead the kitchen at two iconic Broadbeach venues. You will design menus, manage a team of cooks and sous chefs, and oversee grill and smoker operations while maintaining quality, costs and allergen safety.

Reporting to the Executive Chef, you’ll drive seasonal specials, mentor staff, and collaborate with front-of-house to deliver exceptional guest experiences across high-volume services.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as Head Chef, Sous Chef or Kitchen Manager.
• Certificate III in Commercial Cookery or equivalent training.
• Experience in high-volume, fast-paced kitchens.
• Experience with American-style BBQ, smoking and grilling.
• Track record of managing food and labour costs against budget.
• Strong knowledge of ordering systems, stock control and supplier management.
• Experience with functions and banquet catering.
• Solid understanding of food safety and allergen management.
• Ability to work in a physically demanding environment.
• Availability to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Design and update menus for both venues, balancing creativity with cost-effectiveness.
• Lead, manage and motivate the kitchen team with training and feedback.
• Oversee food prep on grill and smoker and cover the line during busy services.
• Ensure every dish meets high standards of quality, flavour, presentation and portions.
• Maintain food safety, hygiene and allergen standards and keep the kitchen tidy.
• Manage inventory, ordering, stock levels and storage to minimise waste.
• Monitor food and labour costs to keep the kitchen within budget.
• Create and manage kitchen rosters for lunch, dinner and late-night service.
• Plan and execute functions, banquets and private events.
• Work closely with front of house for a seamless guest experience.
• Stay across industry trends and new techniques.

Skills

High-volume kitchens

BBQ & grilling

Food cost control

Allergen management

Supplier management

Banquet catering

Menu design & cost balance

Staff development

Education

Certificate III in Commercial Cookery

Culinary arts qualification or equivalent

Tools

Grill & smoker

Job description

Head Chef - The Loose Moose & Roosevelt Lounge

Lead Two Iconic Venues in the Heart of Broadbeach

The Loose Moose, Broadbeach's award-winning tap and grill house, and its glamorous sister venue, Roosevelt Lounge, are looking for a Head Chef to lead our kitchen team. Reporting to our Executive Chef, this is an exciting opportunity for a passionate, experienced culinary leader who combines creativity with strong leadership and a sharp eye for quality and cost.

About us

With a legacy of excellence, the Gennari Group stands as the Gold Coast's benchmark for exceptional hospitality. Renowned for our portfolio of curated, unique venues, we offer more than just dining. We deliver immersive experiences that blend great food, bespoke service and stunning surroundings.

The Loose Moose

is a Broadbeach institution, bringing North American flavour to the Gold Coast. Think low and slow BBQ from the smoker, premium steaks from the grill and burgers made with locally sourced Black Angus beef, paired with craft beer and one of the biggest whisky collections on the Coast. Open from lunch until late, it's a busy, energetic venue loved by locals and visitors alike.

Roosevelt Lounge

tucked away next door, takes guests back to the glamour of the 1920s. With velvet booths, chandeliers, live music and theatrical cocktails, it serves a premium tapas menu designed for sharing, and is the Gold Coast's destination for special occasions, date nights and private functions.

For more information on our venues please visit: https://gennarigroup.com.au/

What you'll be doing

• Designing and updating menus for both venues, including seasonal specials and new dishes, balancing creativity with cost-effectiveness

• Leading, managing and motivating the kitchen team, including sous chefs, cooks and kitchen hands, with ongoing training, guidance and performance feedback

• Overseeing food preparation and cooking, including our grill and smoker, and stepping in on the line during busy services

• Making sure every dish meets our high standards for quality, flavour, presentation and portion size, with clear processes for checking ingredients and finished dishes

• Ensuring all food safety, hygiene and allergen standards are met, and keeping the kitchen clean, organised and safe

• Managing inventory, ordering, stock levels and storage to minimise waste

• Monitoring food and labour costs to keep the kitchen within budget, through portion control, waste reduction and smart purchasing

• Creating and managing kitchen rosters to cover lunch, dinner and late-night service while managing labour costs

• Planning and executing functions, banquet menus and private events

• Working closely with front of house to deliver timely service and a seamless guest experience

• Staying across industry trends and new techniques to keep our menus fresh and exciting

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Proven experience as a Head Chef, Sous Chef or Kitchen Manager

• Certificate III in Commercial Cookery, a culinary arts qualification or equivalent formal training

• Experience in high-volume, fast-paced kitchens

• Experience with American-style BBQ, smoking and grilling premium steaks is highly desirable

• A proven track record of managing food and labour costs against budget

• Strong knowledge of ordering systems, stock control and supplier management

• Experience with functions and banquet catering

• A solid understanding of food safety and allergen management

• The ability to work in a physically demanding environment, including standing for long periods and lifting heavy items

• Availability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends and public holidays

• A passion for growing the team, the venues and your own professional development

Why us

At the Gennari Group, we believe in giving back to our staff. Alongside competitive remuneration, you'll have the opportunity to develop your skills and grow your career within a dynamic and expanding hospitality group, with access to professional development and a range of employee benefits that support your work-life balance.

We welcome applications from candidates who require visa sponsorship and are committed to supporting the right candidate through the sponsorship process, where applicable.