Head Chef

Epicurean Estates Pty Ltd; Noosa Shire; On-site; AUD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

Accommodation assistance

12-month contract

Employer sponsorship

Job summary

Epicurean Estates Pty Ltd on the Sunshine Coast seeks an experienced Cantonese Head Chef (or senior sous chef ready to step up) to lead an exciting new classical Cantonese restaurant. The role focuses on building a top-tier kitchen, refining traditional Cantonese dim sum and roast meats, and delivering consistent quality for dine-in and takeaway.

The successful candidate will bring substantial Cantonese experience, strong wok and seafood skills, and a proven track record in leading kitchens and

Qualifications

• Extensive hands-on dim sum experience, including producing your own dumplings using wrappers.
• Proficiency in Cantonese roast meats, especially roast duck and char siu.
• Strong seafood knowledge and wok skills.
• Ability to manage volume without compromising quality.
• Experience with banquets and private functions preferred.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead a strong kitchen team.
• Refine and execute a high-quality classical Cantonese menu.
• Master traditional Cantonese barbecue and seafood preparation.
• Develop banquet and private-function menus.
• Maintain consistency across dine-in and takeaway.
• Manage food costs, stock, wastage and kitchen efficiency.
• Uphold exceptional food safety and cleanliness standards.

Skills

Cantonese cuisine

Dim sum

Roast meats

Wok skills

Leadership

Menu development

Food safety

Job description

A career-defining opportunity to create the benchmark for Cantonese dining on the Sunshine Coast.

An exceptional opportunity exists for an experienced Cantonese Head Chef - or an outstanding Senior Sous Chef ready to take the next step - to lead the kitchen of an exciting new classical Cantonese restaurant on the Sunshine Coast.

Our ambition is simple: to create the benchmark Cantonese restaurant on the Sunshine Coast, and ultimately one capable of standing alongside the best in Australia.

Key responsibilities

• Building, leading and developing a strong kitchen team
• Refining and consistently executing a high-quality classical Cantonese menu
• Traditional Cantonese barbecue, including roast duck and char siu
• Working confidently with fresh fish, shellfish and other seafood
• Delivering excellent traditional fried rice, noodle, vegetable and wok dishes
• Developing and executing banquet and private-function menus
• Maintaining consistency and quality across both dine-in and takeaway
• Managing food costs, stock, wastage and kitchen efficiency
• Maintaining exemplary food safety, cleanliness and operational standards

About you

• You will either be an accomplished Cantonese Head Chef or a highly experienced Senior Sous Chef with the ability and ambition to step into your first Head Chef position. You will need to demonstrate genuine, substantial experience in classical Cantonese cuisine, including:
• Extensive hands-on dim sum experience, including producing your own dumplings using quality commercially purchased wrappers
• A strong understanding of the style and quality of dim sum associated with good Hong Kong, Melbourne and Sydney Cantonese restaurants
• Proficiency in traditional Cantonese roast meats, particularly roast duck and char siu
• Excellent seafood knowledge and execution
• Strong wok skills
• Confidence across the broader Cantonese repertoire of rice, noodles, vegetables and traditional dishes
• The ability to manage volume without compromising quality
• Ideally, previous experience with banquets and private functions

Just as importantly, you will be a strong leader with an excellent work ethic.

We value a kitchen that is calm, professional, organised and respectful. You will be expected to set that standard and build a team around you that shares it.

About us

An exciting new classical Cantonese restaurant on the Sunshine Coast, occupying an iconic venue currently undergoing a complete transformation. The restaurant will be a substantial 80-100 seat restaurant with takeaway, banquets and private functions, serving approximately 100-150 covers on a typical busy evening. The objective is to establish a restaurant known for serious Cantonese cooking - excellent dim sum, exceptional roast meats, beautiful seafood and properly executed classics - in an environment that respects both the traditions of the cuisine and contemporary Australian hospitality.

Approximately $80,000 - $100,000 gross annual salary

• Performance bonus, to be negotiated with the successful candidate
• Accommodation assistance may be available, depending upon experience and individual or family circumstances
• Initial 12-month contract, with options to renew by mutual agreement and subject to performance
• Employer sponsorship may be considered for an exceptional international candidate where appropriate and legally available