Head Chef

Lancemore Mansion Hotel Werribee Park; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Lancemore Mansion Hotel Werribee Park’s Joseph's Restaurant is seeking a full-time Head Chef to lead the kitchen and drive seasonal, produce-driven menus. Reporting to the Executive Chef, you will develop the brigade, manage ordering and food costs, and ensure exceptional guest experiences.

You will design menus, train the kitchen team, maintain high standards of food safety, rostering, and supplier relationships, and step in during the Executive Chef’s absence to represent the kitchen at

Qualifications

• Certificate III or IV in Commercial Cookery or equivalent.
• Proven experience as a Head Chef or senior Sous Chef in a quality restaurant or hotel dining room.
• Strong leadership skills with a track record of developing and retaining kitchen teams.
• Experience in ordering, stock control and food cost management, with a solid understanding of rostering and kitchen financials.
• Food Safety Supervisor certification (or willingness to obtain).
• Excellent organisation, communication and problem-solving skills.
• Flexibility to work across weekdays, weekends and public holidays as required.
• Current Australian working rights.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily kitchen operations and service at Joseph's Restaurant.
• Work with the Executive Chef to design and develop seasonal menus for Joseph's.
• Lead, train and develop the kitchen brigade, building a strong and stable team.
• Take ownership of all kitchen ordering, working with suppliers to secure quality produce at the right price.
• Drive food cost control through recipe costing, portion control, stock takes and wastage management to meet food cost targets.
• Manage kitchen rosters and labour costs in line with wage targets.
• Work closely with the front-of-house team to deliver a seamless guest experience.
• Ensure full compliance with food safety, allergen management and WHS requirements.
• Step up in the absence of the Executive Chef and represent the kitchen at operational meetings.
• Foster a positive, professional and collaborative kitchen culture.

Skills

Leadership

Menu development

Food cost control

Stock management

Staff training

Communication

Education

Cert III/IV Commercial Cookery

Job description

Lead the Kitchen at Joseph's, Lancemore Mansion Hotel Werribee Park

We are seeking an experienced full-time Head Chef to lead the kitchen at Joseph's Restaurant, the signature dining room of one of Werribee's most distinctive heritage settings.

Reporting to the Executive Chef, you will drive the day-to-day running of the Joseph's kitchen, lead and develop the brigade, and help shape a seasonal, produce-driven menu within the Lancemore Hotel Group.

About the role

Working closely with the Executive Chef, you will take responsibility for the Joseph's kitchen and service, ensuring every plate meets the standards our guests expect. You will:

• Lead daily kitchen operations and service at Joseph's Restaurant
• Work together with the Executive Chef to design and develop seasonal menus for Joseph's
• Lead, train and develop the kitchen brigade, building a strong and stable team
• Take ownership of all kitchen ordering, working with suppliers to secure quality produce at the right price
• Drive food cost control through recipe costing, portion control, stock takes and wastage management to meet food cost targets
• Manage kitchen rosters and labour costs in line with wage targets
• Work closely with the front-of-house team to deliver a seamless guest experience
• Ensure full compliance with food safety, allergen management and WHS requirements
• Step up in the absence of the Executive Chef and represent the kitchen at operational meetings
• Foster a positive, professional and collaborative kitchen culture

About You

You will bring:

• Certificate III or IV in Commercial Cookery or equivalent
• Proven experience as a Head Chef or senior Sous Chef in a quality à la carte restaurant or hotel dining room
• Strong leadership skills with a track record of developing and retaining kitchen teams
• Proven experience in ordering, stock control and food cost management, with a solid understanding of rostering and kitchen financials
• A passion for seasonal produce and a strong creative and technical foundation
• Food Safety Supervisor certification (or willingness to obtain)
• Excellent organisation, communication and problem-solving skills
• Flexibility to work across weekdays, weekends and public holidays as required
• Current Australian working rights

Why Join Lancemore?

You will play a key leadership role at Joseph's, have genuine input into the menu and kitchen direction, and work alongside an Executive Chef committed to your ongoing growth and development within the Lancemore Hotel Group.

If you are an experienced chef ready to lead a talented team, we would love to hear from you.