Head Chef

1600 Pty Ltd; Riverton, Clare and Gilbert Valleys; On-site; AUD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary negotiable

On-site role

Job summary

The Central Hotel Riverton is seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead the kitchen and drive the restaurant forward with a mix of pub classics and international dishes. This hands-on role offers autonomy under supportive owners and a clear path to influence the dining offering.

You will own menu development, control costs, manage stock and labour, and mentor a team to deliver high-quality food while building the restaurant's reputation as a must-visit dining destination.

Qualifications

• Strong cooking skills in a commercial kitchen.
• Proven ability to develop menus and cost dishes accurately.
• Confidence managing kitchen operations, stock and labour costs.
• Current Food Safety Supervisor certification and compliance knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Lead kitchen operations, preparation and service.
• Own menu development and precise costing of dishes.
• Manage food costs, portion control and waste minimisation.
• Oversee stock, ordering, supplier relationships and budgets.
• Coordinate rosters and develop a positive, productive team.
• Maintain high standards of food safety, hygiene and compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Menu development

Costing & budgeting

Food safety

Team management

Education

Food Safety Supervisor certification

Job description

Passionate about great food? Looking for a kitchen you can make your own?

The Central Hotel Riverton is looking for an experienced Head Chef or highly experienced cook with the skills, confidence and passion to lead our kitchen and help take our restaurant to the next level.

We're a country pub with big plans, and we're looking for someone who shares our vision of building a reputation for quality food, consistency and genuine country hospitality.

This is a hands-on leadership role with real autonomy, supportive owners and the opportunity to have a genuine influence on the future of our restaurant.

ABOUT THE ROLE

You’ll take responsibility for the day-to-day running of the kitchen, working alongside your team while driving food quality, efficiency and profitability.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading kitchen operations, preparation and service.
• Taking ownership of menu development, combining quality pub classics with international dishes, pasta and creative seasonal specials.
• Preparing accurate recipe costings, managing food costs, portion control and minimising waste.
• Managing stock, ordering, supplier relationships and kitchen budgets.
• Coordinating kitchen rosters and developing a positive, productive team.
• Maintaining high standards of food safety, hygiene and compliance.
• Working closely with the owners to develop the restaurant's offering and build its reputation as a destination for great food.

ABOUT YOU

You may be an established Head Chef, an experienced Sous Chef ready to step up, or a highly experienced cook with a proven background in managing a commercial kitchen.

You’ll bring:

• Strong cooking skills and extensive experience in a commercial kitchen.
• Proven ability to develop menus and accurately cost dishes.
• Confidence managing kitchen operations, stock and labour costs.
• Current Food Safety Supervisor certification.
• Strong leadership, organisational and communication skills.
• A calm, respectful and hands-on approach to managing a team.
• A genuine interest in the long-term growth and success of the restaurant.
• Availability to commence as soon as possible.

Most importantly, we’re looking for someone who takes ownership, leads by example and genuinely cares about the food leaving the kitchen.

WHY JOIN US?

The Central Hotel is an independently owned country pub with a supportive team and owners who are actively involved in the business.

• Genuine autonomy and creative input into the menu.
• The opportunity to shape and grow a country pub restaurant.
• Supportive, approachable owners who value good people.
• A hands-on leadership role with a team to develop and grow.
• Competitive salary negotiable based on experience.
• We currently trade Wednesday to Sunday.

This is an opportunity for the right person to make their mark and help turn The Central into a genuine dining destination.

WORK RIGHTS

Applicants must have current legal rights to work in Australia.

Please note: This position does not offer visa sponsorship.