Head Chef

Australian Venue Co; Rockhampton Regional, Yeppoon, Livingstone Shire; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus up to $20K

Sponsorship opportunities

Staff discounts at 240+ venues

Coastal Yeppoon location

Career development

Job summary

The Strand Hotel Yeppoon, part of Australian Venue Co., is seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead a busy pub kitchen on the coast. You will own daily operations, mentor the team and deliver a menu of pub classics and local favourites in a high-volume environment.

This hands-on role requires calm leadership, strong food safety, cost control, and the ability to inspire a kitchen culture. The role offers a competitive salary and potential for an annual bonus, with staff benefits across AVC venues.

Qualifications

• Experience as Head Chef or Sous Chef in busy pub/club/hotel venues.
• Hands-on leader with strong people management and cost control.
• Proven ability to deliver quality food in high-volume environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and develop the kitchen team.
• Own daily kitchen operations and service standards.
• Deliver a quality menu of pub classics, local favourites and functions.
• Maintain consistency, presentation and portion control.
• Manage orders, stock, food costs and kitchen budgets.
• Ensure food safety, hygiene and workplace standards.
• Collaborate with Venue Manager and leadership team.
• Recruit, train and support a high-performing kitchen team.
• Foster a positive, respectful and accountable kitchen culture.

Skills

Leadership

Team development

High-volume service

Food quality and presentation

Cost control

Kitchen operations

People leadership

Calm under pressure

Job description

Lead the kitchen of one of Yeppoon's most iconic waterfront venues.

The Strand Hotel has been part of the Yeppoon community for more than 60 years. Located opposite the beautiful Keppel Bay, The Strand is a busy oceanfront venue offering all-day dining, pub classics, local favourites, live music, functions, sporting events and a lively weekend atmosphere.

We're looking for an experienced Head Chef to take ownership of the kitchen and lead the team into its next chapter.

This is a hands-on leadership role suited to a calm, resilient chef who can stay composed under pressure, build a strong team culture and consistently deliver quality food in a busy pub environment.

About the role

• Lead, mentor and develop the kitchen team
• Take ownership of daily kitchen operations and service standards
• Deliver a quality menu of pub classics, local favourites and functions
• Maintain consistency, presentation and portion control
• Manage ordering, stock control, food costs and kitchen budgets
• Ensure compliance with food safety, hygiene and workplace standards
• Work closely with the Venue Manager and leadership team
• Recruit, train and support a high-performing kitchen team
• Create a positive, respectful and accountable kitchen culture

About you

• An experienced Head Chef or Sous Chef ready to take the next step
• Calm and organised during busy services
• Resilient and solutions-focused
• A confident and supportive people leader
• Experienced in high-volume pub, club, hotel or similar venues
• Strong across food quality, cost control and kitchen operations
• Hands-on and willing to lead from the front
• Passionate about developing a team and delivering great experiences
• Available to work across a busy seven-day operation

Why join The Strand?

• Competitive salary + annual bonus of up to $20K paid quarterly
• Sponsorship opportunities may be available for the right candidate after six months of employment
• Staff discounts across 240+ venues in Australia & NZ
• Lead the kitchen of a well-known oceanfront venue
• Work in a beautiful coastal location in Yeppoon
• Join a supportive venue and leadership team
• Opportunity to make your mark on the kitchen operation
• Access to career development across Australian Venue Co.

If you're a steady, capable and people-focused chef looking for your next leadership opportunity, we'd love to hear from you.

Australian Venue Co. is a food and beverage-led hospitality group that operates over 200 venues across Australia. AVC prides itself on creating exceptional customer experiences, offering exciting hospitality career pathways and tailoring every venue to its local community. AVC is best known for landmark Australian pubs such as the Regatta Hotel, The Espy, Duke of Wellington, Imperial Hotel & more.

Perks and benefits Staff Perks & Discounts Career Development & Progression Work for a renowned Australian hospitality company Mobility opportunities Employee Assistance Program Accredited Training Opportunities