Head Chef

Woods & Co; Gold Coast City; On-site; AUD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accomodation Provided

Island life

Job summary

Woods & Co Recruitment is partnering with a well-established group to appoint a Head Chef for a Café, Bar & Restaurant on South Stradbroke Island. You’ll take ownership of the kitchen, lead a small team and shape the menu while capitalising on island living.

Strong weekend and holiday trading periods offer an exciting lifestyle change. The role offers full kitchen ownership, menu development, and leadership opportunities with accommodation provided on an iconic island location just off the Gold

Qualifications

• Experience as Head Chef or strong Sous Chef ready to step up.
• Background in pub, café, bar or casual dining environments.
• Leadership skills and ability to work autonomously.
• Experience with menu planning, food costing and stock management.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of day-to-day kitchen operations and service delivery.
• Lead, mentor and develop a small kitchen team (Cook and yourself).
• Maintain consistency, quality and presentation across the menu.
• Oversee food preparation, ordering, stock control and food costs.
• Introduce menu improvements and seasonal offerings.
• Maintain food safety, hygiene and compliance standards.
• Plan kitchen operations around seasonal demand and peak periods.
• Work with the Venue Manager to deliver an exceptional guest experience.

Skills

Leadership

Menu planning

Stock management

Food safety

Autonomous work

Job description

Woods & Co are proud to partner with a well-established national group with a growing tourism and leisure portfolio, seeking an experienced Head Chef to take ownership of the kitchen at a popular Café, Bar & Restaurant on beautiful South Stradbroke Island.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Head Chef or ambitious Sous Chef ready to step up, offering the chance to lead your own kitchen while enjoying a lifestyle that's a little different from the ordinary.

The venue experiences strong trading periods across weekends, school holidays and peak tourism seasons, with quieter periods during the week. You'll initially oversee an established pub-style menu, with the opportunity to introduce fresh ideas and healthier options while maintaining a familiar offering for guests.

What's in it for you?

• $85,000 - $95,000 + Super (Accomodation Provided)
• Accommodation provided , make the move to island life without the hassle of finding somewhere to live
• Incredible island location, work on beautiful South Stradbroke Island, just off the Gold Coast
• Lifestyle change, swap the traditional commute for a boat ride to work!
• Full kitchen ownership, take the reins, lead operations and put your own stamp on the venue
• Menu development, introduce fresh ideas, seasonal specials and new offerings
• Leadership opportunity: build, develop and lead your own small kitchen team
• National career opportunities: join an established and growing tourism and leisure group

What you'll do?

• Take ownership of all day-to-day kitchen operations and service delivery
• Lead, mentor and develop a small kitchen team, initially consisting of yourself and a Cook
• Maintain consistency, quality and presentation across the menu
• Oversee food preparation, ordering, stock control and food costs
• Introduce menu improvements and seasonal offerings
• Maintain food safety, hygiene and compliance standards
• Plan kitchen operations around seasonal demand and peak trading periods
• Work closely with the Venue Manager to deliver an exceptional guest experience

What you need?

• Previous experience as a Head Chef or a strong Sous Chef ready to step up
• Background in pub, café, bar or casual dining environments
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to work autonomously
• Experience with menu planning, food costing and stock management
• Ability to manage fluctuating trade and busy service periods
• A hands-on, adaptable approach and positive attitude
• Someone genuinely excited by the prospect of island living!

*Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted

Woods & Co Recruitment is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that values all backgrounds and experiences. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, members of the LGBTQI community, people of all genders and people with disability.