Head Chef

Marion; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounts across Trader House

Wine & Spirit Education Trust certs

Masterclasses with industry leaders

Wellbeing training

Employee Assistance Program

Staff parties

Free flu vaccinations

Staff meals

Generous tips

Job summary

Marion, a Fitzroy wine bar, is seeking a Head Chef to lead its intimate kitchen. You will guide the brigade, craft seasonal menus, and work closely with local farmers and suppliers to showcase the best Victoria has to offer.

This role emphasises mentorship, creativity, and a balanced, high-quality dining experience. You will manage a small team, drive consistent execution, and pursue ongoing skill development within Trader House’s group framework.

Qualifications

• Head Chef with strong leadership and creative flair.
• Experience in fast-paced restaurants of a similar calibre.
• Works with farmers and suppliers to source the best seasonal produce.
• Able to develop and evolve a dynamic menu with the seasons.

Responsibilities

• Lead Marion's small but mighty kitchen brigade.
• Mentor and develop the kitchen team with personalised guidance.
• Develop and adapt menus in collaboration with suppliers and management.
• Build strong relationships with farmers and producers to ensure quality produce.
• Maintain high standards of food quality and presentation during busy service.

Skills

Leadership

Creative flair

Team management

Menu development

Supplier relationships

Job description

Trader House, one of Australia's most established hospitality groups, is looking for a Head Chef for its neighbourhood wine bar Marion.

Marion is a treasured Fitzroy wine bar and restaurant, with a food offering showcasing the best local produce and a passion for simple, high quality dishes. Inspired by adventures in convivial bars and bistros across the world, Marion is a place to pause for a moment or to settle in for an indulgent session of eating and drinking.

Next door is our two-hat flagship restaurant, Cutler. It focuses on thoughtful and modern cooking, while at the same time referencing and highlighting not only the best of the season but also some of our most lauded classic dishes. With both venues working in conjunction and offering a dynamic and evolving menu, there is a wealth of experience and technique to be gained through this unique employment opportunity.

About the role:

This is an opportunity for a career-focused chef with strong leadership and creative flair to guide Marion’s small but mighty kitchen brigade. This position is suited to an experienced Head Chef, with a background in fast-paced restaurants of a similar calibre. We work with our farmers to get the best produce Victoria has to offer, as well as our suppliers for interesting and unique ingredients. With our constantly evolving menu, you will be able to keep your team engaged and learning new techniques and skills, based on the ingredients of the season.

What you can expect:

Unparalleled support and guidance, an empowering and refreshing approach to running restaurants

A commitment to the further development of your skills and experience as a hospitality professional, with personalised mentorship and support from Trader House Group chefs and the senior management team

Build excellent supplier relationships, accessing the best and freshest produce

Real autonomy in your role

A healthy approach to running restaurants; a real work/life balance and career

This position is a long-term engagement – and each day offers a new opportunity. We offer internal management training to help you thrive while managing the demands of an extremely busy restaurant, whilst continuing to develop.

Marion has been an industry leader since 2015, and our commitment to top produce, suppliers and finding great people to deliver exceptional food and service is paramount to what we do.

Our benefits include:

• Discounts across all Trader House businesses
• Access to internal Wine and Spirit Education Trust Certificates 2 & 3 taught by Leanne Altmann, Group Beverage Director
• Trader House Sessions – masterclasses with chefs and industry leaders (past presenters include Danielle Alvarez, Jung-eun Chae, Trisha Greentree, Dave Verheul)
• Financial wellbeing training programs
• Access to Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training
• Diversity & Inclusivity training and workshops
• Employee Assistance Program – a free and confidential counselling service
• Field trips to wineries, distillers, breweries & farms
• Annual staff parties
• Internal and external management training covering a range of topics
• Free flu vaccinations
• Employee referral bonus – paying up to $1000 per successful referral
• A range of discounts across external retail / health & wellbeing organisations
• Great staff meals every day
• Generous tips for kitchen and front of house

About Trader House:

Trader House is a collective of restaurants, bars, and specialty retail stores by Melbourne-based chef, cookbook author and columnist Andrew McConnell and photographer Jo McGann. Operating in Melbourne are Gimlet, Apollo Inn, Cutler, Supernormal, Côte Basque, Cumulus Inc., Marion, Builders Arms Hotel, Meatsmith Heritage Butcher and Morning Market. In 2024, Trader House opened Supernormal and Bar Miette in Brisbane.

Trader House is known for restaurants with a strong sense of place, thoughtful design and a focus on seasonal, produce-driven food.

All applications and enquiries are confidential.