Head Chef

M & B CHAMBERS; Rutherglen; On-site; AUD 77,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full-time position

In-person work location

Job summary

Lake Moodemere Estate in Rutherglen, Victoria, is expanding its kitchen team and seeks an experienced Head Chef for a full-time, in-person role. You will lead day-to-day operations, design seasonal menus, and mentor kitchen staff to maintain high standards of quality, presentation and service.

The role requires a Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery, a minimum of three years of full-time kitchen experience, and strong HACCP knowledge.

Qualifications

• Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery (or equivalent).
• Minimum 3 years of full-time professional kitchen experience.
• Strong HACCP and food safety knowledge.
• Experience planning and developing menus and leading staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day kitchen operations and service to high standards.
• Plan, design and update menus in consultation with management.
• Train, mentor and supervise kitchen staff for high performance.
• Manage food preparation, plating, costs and stock control.
• Oversee budgets, run sheets and reports for events and functions.

Skills

Leadership

Menu planning

Staff supervision

Food safety

Communication

Time management

Problem solving

Cost management

Education

Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery

Job description

Job Type: Contract position | Full time position

Job Description

Lake Moodemere Estate is a well-established family-owned business located in Rutherglen, Victoria, with a diverse range of agricultural, wine and tourism operations. The estate is home to the Lakeside Restaurant, located within the heritage cellar door, offering high-quality dining experiences that showcase estate-grown produce, including wine, lamb and citrus, alongside locally and regionally sourced ingredients. As a progressive and sustainable business, Lake Moodemere Estate is committed to delivering quality food and wine experiences while maintaining a strong focus on sustainability and responsible business practices.

Benefits and Perks Work in a beautiful waterfront estate and regional hospitality environment. Join a positive, supportive and collaborative team.

Primarily daytime shifts with occasional evening work for functions and events. Opportunity to contribute creatively to menu development and culinary offerings. Career development, training and professional growth opportunities.

Work with fresh, estate-grown and locally sourced produce. Be part of a progressive business committed to sustainability. Enjoy the lifestyle and community of the Rutherglen region, within easy reach of Albury/Wodonga and Wangaratta.

About the Role Lake Moodemere Estate is excited to expand our talented kitchen team. We are looking for an experienced and motivated Head Chef to join our team on a full-time basis.

We welcome applicants who demonstrate integrity, pride in their work, strong leadership and a genuine passion for quality food and hospitality. If you are confident working in a hands-on kitchen environment and believe you would be a great culture fit, we would love to hear from you. The Successful Applicant

Will: Plan, design, develop and update menus in consultation with management, considering seasonal availability, customer preferences and business objectives. Demonstrate creativity, culinary talent and a genuine passion for the hospitality industry and quality food.

Lead and oversee day-to-day kitchen operations and service, ensuring smooth and efficient delivery and consistently high standards of food quality, presentation and consistency. Prepare, cook and present dishes to a consistently high standard while supervising and coordinating kitchen staff across all kitchen operations. Coordinate, motivate, train and mentor kitchen staff to maintain high performance, teamwork and compliance with kitchen procedures.

Demonstrate strong leadership by setting professional standards, leading by example and contributing to a positive and collaborative kitchen culture. Demonstrate a strong work ethic, positive can-do attitude, flexibility and a hands‑on approach, particularly during busy service periods. Think on your feet, identify operational issues and effectively resolve problems to support smooth kitchen and service operations.

Maintain an impeccable standard of cleanliness, organisation and hygiene throughout the kitchen. Control food preparation processes, portioning and plating to maintain quality, consistency and cost efficiency. Monitor and manage food and labour costs, stock levels, ordering and supplier relationships.

Assist with developing and managing budgets, run sheets and reports for functions, festivals and event menus. Maintain and enforce strict food hygiene and safety standards in accordance with HACCP and relevant requirements. Demonstrate a strong understanding of workplace health and safety, risk management, record keeping and reporting requirements.

Implement and oversee workplace health and safety, risk management and company policies and procedures within the kitchen. Monitor daily kitchen operations and service to support customer satisfaction and a high-quality dining experience. Share and support Lake Moodemere Estate's commitment to sustainability and responsible environmental practices.

Skills and Experience Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery or equivalent qualification. Minimum 3 years of relevant full-time professional kitchen experience.

Strong knowledge and practical application of HACCP and food safety requirements. Demonstrated experience in menu planning and development. Experience supervising, training or mentoring kitchen staff.

Strong understanding of food preparation, presentation, stock control and cost management. Excellent communication and teamwork skills. Strong organisational, time management and problem‑solving skills.

Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-standard kitchen environment. Ability to work weekends and public holidays, with occasional evening work for functions and events. Food Safety Supervisor certification will be highly regarded.

A genuine passion for quality food, hospitality and delivering a positive dining experience. If you feel like you'd be a great candidate for this position, we'd love to hear from you.

Job Type: Full-time Pay: $76,515.00 – $80,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person