Head Chef

Avoca Beach House; Gosford; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Avoca Beach House on the Central Coast is seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead a busy, high-volume kitchen and drive food quality, service and team performance.

You will coach chefs and apprentices, manage COGS, wages and stock control, and foster a positive kitchen culture while delivering exceptional dishes for up to 350 covers during peak periods.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a busy, high‑volume kitchen.
• Able to coach chefs and apprentices and develop talent.
• Strong understanding of COGS, wages, stock control and kitchen budgets.
• Commitment to high food safety, hygiene and presentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a busy, high‑volume kitchen and team.
• Develop and coach chefs and apprentices, leading by example.
• Control costs, manage stock, and monitor kitchen budgets.
• Maintain high standards of food quality, hygiene and presentation.
• Foster a positive culture and adapt to busy seasonal demands.

Skills

Kitchen leadership

People development

Calm under pressure

Commercial awareness

High standards

Proactive

Team player

Continuous improvement

Professional & positive

Flexible & adaptable

Job description

Are you an experienced Head Chef ready to take the lead in a busy, established Central Coast restaurant?

We’re looking for a passionate, driven, and hands‑on chef to lead our talented kitchen team and help take our food, people and performance to the next level

This is an opportunity to make your mark - combining creativity and quality with strong kitchen leadership, team development and commercial knowledge.

You’ll be at the heart of a high‑performing kitchen serving up to 350 covers a day during peak periods supported by a professional, friendly and hardworking team.

If you thrive in a fast paced environment, love developing people, take pride in exceptional food and have the relevant experience to run a successful kitchen, we’d love to hear from you.

Key skills & qualities we’re looking for

• Strong kitchen leadership- confident managing a busy, high volume kitchen & team.
• People development - able to coach, develop chefs and apprentices, leading by example.
• Calm under pressure - organised, solutions-focused and able to thrive in a fast‑paced environment.
• Commercial awareness - experienced in managing COGS, wages, stock control and kitchen budgets.
• High Standards - passionate about consistently delivering excellent food, presentation, hygiene and food safety.
• Proactive & self motivated - someone who sees what needs doing and gets on with it.
• Team player - willing to help wherever needed and contribute to the wider success of the business.
• Continuous improvement - keen to improve systems, processes and the overall performance of the kitchen.
• Professional & positive - great attitude, well presented and able to create a positive team culture.
• Flexible & adaptable - comfortable working in a dynamic environment and able to respond to changing demands.

Please provide a cover letter

to support your application explaining why you feel that you are suitable to be our next Head Chef. Please also tell us about where you have experience working in a seasonal venue and how you deal with the challenges of high volume delivery compared to quieter times during low season.

We require the successful candidate to start within the next 3 months. Our current Head Chef will be moving on and we are looking for their replacement to join us as soon as possible, with some flexibility.

Only applications need apply with the right to live and work in Australia.

We cannot provide Sponsorship to any applicants