Head Chef

Zenith Hotels; Hawkesbury; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Zenith Hotels’ The Vineyard is looking for an experienced Head Chef to lead a high-volume kitchen and a ~40-strong team, driving performance and ensuring service excellence across bistro dining, events and functions.

You’ll oversee a second kitchen for Vineyard Live launching in 2027, collaborating with venue management to balance food quality, cost control and guest experience in a dynamic hospitality setting.

Qualifications

• Experience leading large, high-volume kitchens.
• Ability to structure and guide a busy operation with clear direction.
• Strong cost control, rostering and labour management insight.

Responsibilities

• Lead fast-paced, high-volume kitchen with clear direction.
• Manage a large, diverse team of ~40 kitchen staff.
• Oversee second kitchen for Vineyard Live launching in 2027.
• Ensure consistent food quality, presentation and service times.
• Recruit, coach and retain kitchen talent; maintain culture.
• Control food and labour costs, ordering, stock, wastage.

Skills

High-volume kitchen leadership

Team leadership

Food costing

Labour management

Josper grill experience

Cooking the Books

Education

Commercial cookery qualifications

Job description

Big services. Bold flavours. A kitchen that needs a confident leader.

The Vineyard is looking for an experienced Head Chef who thrives in a high-volume kitchen, loves the energy of a busy service and has solid experience leading large, diverse teams.

With a bustling bistro, functions and events, and a Josper grill bringing the flavour of charcoal cooking to the plate, this is a hands-on role for a chef who can balance great food, strong leadership and commercial discipline.

You’ll lead a team of approximately 40 kitchen staff, with responsibility expanding to a second kitchen when Vineyard Live launches in 2027. The team will grow with the launch, making this an exciting opportunity for a proven kitchen leader who can manage both the pace of today and the demands of an expanding operation.

The role

You’ll take ownership of the kitchen’s day-to-day performance, making sure the team is prepared, service runs smoothly and every dish meets the standard—even when the docket rail is full.

Working closely with venue management and senior stakeholders, you will:

• Lead a fast-paced, high-volume kitchen with clear direction and calm decision-making.
• Manage and develop a large, diverse team of approximately 40 kitchen staff, building capability, consistency and accountability.
• Prepare for and oversee the second kitchen at Vineyard Live when it launches in 2027, coordinating people, preparation and service across both kitchens.
• Deliver consistent food quality, presentation and service times across bistro dining, functions and events.
• Make the most of the Josper grill, with a strong focus on flavour, technique and consistency.
• Recruit, coach and retain a capable kitchen team as the operation grows.
• Manage food and labour costs, rostering, ordering, stock control and wastage.
• Maintain food safety, hygiene and kitchen organisation.
• Build strong relationships with the front-of-house team to deliver a seamless guest experience.

About you

You’re an experienced Head Chef with a proven track record in high-volume kitchens and solid experience leading large, diverse teams. You know how to structure a busy operation, develop your leaders and maintain standards across every shift.

You’ll bring:

• At least 3yrs demonstrated experience managing large kitchen teams in busy pubs, large restaurants or similarly high-volume venues.
• The ability to lead from the front, communicate clearly and keep a team focused during demanding services.
• Strong planning and delegation skills, from prep and rostering through to execution.
• A sound understanding of food costing, labour management and kitchen profitability.
• Experience managing multiple kitchens or food outlets, highly regarded.
• Experience with Josper grills or charcoal cooking, ideally.
• Experience using Cooking the Books, advantageous.
• A practical coaching style and a commitment to a respectful, accountable kitchen culture.
• Relevant commercial cookery qualifications and strong food safety knowledge.
• Availability to work across a hospitality roster, including evenings, weekends and public holidays.

Join Zenith Hotels and take a key leadership role at The Vineyard, working alongside experienced hospitality leaders. You’ll lead an established team and play a significant role in preparing for Vineyard Live’s 2027 launch, with your responsibilities growing as the venue expands.