Head Chef

Intrepid Travel; South Australia; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site accommodation

Monthly food allowance

Free Intrepid trip annually

Family discounts

Additional leave provisions

Job summary

Intrepid Travel is seeking a Head Chef to lead the Arkaba kitchen in the Flinders Ranges, SA. You will design seasonal menus using local, ethical produce and craft memorable dining experiences for guests, while ensuring premium service and sustainability.

You will manage all kitchen operations, cost control, supplier partnerships, and food safety, working closely with front-of-house to deliver elevated dining experiences in a breathtaking remote setting.

Qualifications

• Hands-on Head Chef experience in high-end restaurants.
• Excellent knowledge of food safety and hygiene standards.
• Ability to manage budgets, inventory and kitchen schedules.

Responsibilities

• Lead all kitchen operations from menu design to supplier partnerships and cost control.
• Maintain food safety standards and high-quality dining experiences.
• Manage a high-performance kitchen team and collaborate with front-of-house for seamless service.

Skills

Leadership

Food safety

Budgeting

Menu design

Team management

Time management

Job description

Application Close Date: 25th October 2026

At Intrepid Travel we exist to inspire, create, share and lead the best travel experiences ever – for both people and the planet. We've been creating positive change through the joy of travel since 1989, and we’re proud to be a certified B Corp with 1000s of experiences in over 100 countries.

We are Intrepid

Join one of Australia’s most immersive outback locations as a Head Chef at Arkaba, where food is not just a part of the journey, it’s a highlight. This is an opportunity to lead a kitchen team that strives to be exceptional, through quality, creativity and connection to place. Working in a breathtaking location, you’ll be responsible for crafting and delivering on seasonal menus which celebrate local, ethical produce and give back to the community, whilst delivering memorable dining experiences which guests won’t forget.

This role will encompass leading all kitchen operations, from designing menus to managing supplier partnerships, cost control and food safety standards. You will manage a high-performance team to curate an engaged, collaborative culture where people can thrive and every dish reflects the premium experience Arkaba is known for, whilst working closely with the front of house team to deliver a seamless, elevated service.

This role would suit a Head Chef who is an experienced culinary professional who thrives in a dynamic, hands on environment and has a passion for sustainability, storytelling through food and creating exceptional guest moments. With a strong background in kitchen management, commercial acumen and a commitment to quality, you’ll play a key role in shaping the dining experience at Arkaba, bringing a flair of creativity, leadership and a deep respect for local produce to every plate.

This full-time, permanent position is based on-site in the breathtaking Flinders Ranges of South Australia. The package for this role will include on site accommodation, plus a $500 monthly food allowance.

Some of the experienceyou’llbring with you may include:

Experience as a hands-on Head Chef with a background in high end restaurants

Excellent technical knowledge and experience in varied cooking techniques

In depth knowledge of food safety andhygienestandards

Exceptional time management andorganisationalskills, with the ability to work well under pressure

Strong leadership and people skills

Ability to manage budgets,inventoryand kitchen schedules effectively

Passion for delivering high quality food and memorable guest experiences

Our people reflect the diversity of our customers and the communities we visit:

Intrepid is made up of 71 nationalities in over 30 countries, and werecognisethat diversity makes us a stronger business. We support a culture where people can be themselves and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. Including First Nations People, LGBTQI+ people, those living with a disability, or from disadvantaged backgrounds, and all people from different ethnicities, races, and religions.

Rewarding and developing our people is important to us, some of our workperksinclude:

• A free Intrepid trip every year, plus generous discounts for families, and close friends
• 5 extra days of leave a year for use on Intrepid trips
• A minimum of10 weekspaid parental leave for all parents, and other additional leave provisions.
• Access to e-learning platforms, professionaldevelopmentand mentor programs
• 20 hours of volunteer leave every year to use on causes most important to you
• Employee Assistance Program, a 24/7 service that offers counselling for you and your family

We are Real. Together. Ambitious. Impactful.These are our values and to usthey'remore than just words, they are the pillars of our success and every day it's our people the work they do thatbringthem to life.

We aim to ensurediversity, equity, and inclusion stay part of our recruitment process. If you require anyreasonableadjustmentto participate in therecruitment process, please contact us at [e-mail] your name, location, and theadjustmentsyourequire, we will then be in touch to support your application.

Application Close Date: 25th October 2026