Head Chef

Pedder Wilderness Lodge; Strathgordon; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accommodation

Dinner and on-shift meals

Live-in role

Job summary

Pedder Wilderness Lodge in Tasmania is seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead the kitchen team, maintain high food standards and drive the evolution of the lodge’s food and beverage offering. This full-time, live-in role suits someone looking for long-term employment in a remote hospitality setting.

You will oversee breakfast, lunch and dinner service for both guests and Gordon Power Station personnel, mentor a small kitchen team, manage menus, costs and supplier relationships, and ensure food

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years' experience as Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef in hotel, resort or remote hospitality.
• Proven ability to lead and mentor a small kitchen team.
• Experience in menu development and food costing.
• Strong stock control, ordering and supplier management.
• Sound understanding of labour costs and profitability.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
• Willingness to work hands-on and in a remote location.
• Full Australian working rights.
• Accommodation and meals provided.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee daily kitchen operations for breakfast, lunch, dinner and group catering.
• Plan, prepare and deliver buffet meals for workforce personnel.
• Ensure consistency of food quality, flavour, portion sizes and presentation.
• Hire, train and mentor kitchen staff and foster teamwork.
• Prepare rosters using occupancy forecasts and labour budgets.
• Manage food ordering, stock control and supplier relationships.
• Maintain high standards of food safety, hygiene and workplace safety.
• Comply with Tasmanian food safety regulations.
• Hands-on involvement in all kitchen tasks as needed.

Skills

Leadership

Team mentoring

Menu development

Food costing

Stock control

Food safety

Time management

Problem solving

Labour cost awareness

Job description

Pedder Wilderness Lodge is seeking an experienced, motivated and hands-on Head Chef to lead the kitchen team, maintain exceptional food standards and contribute to the ongoing development of the food and beverage offering. The Lodge combines the warmth and comfort of a wilderness retreat with the operational demands of catering for a major infrastructure workforce. The kitchen delivers two distinct dining experiences: nutritious, satisfying buffet meals for Gordon Power Station personnel, alongside a quality à la carte menu showcasing fresh, seasonal produce for visiting guests. This is a full-time, live-in position suited to someone seeking long-term employment and the opportunity to become a valued member of the team.

Key responsibilities

Lead and oversee all daily kitchen operations, including breakfast, lunch, dinner and group catering

Plan, prepare and deliver nutritious, varied buffet meals for Gordon Power Station workforce personnel

Ensure consistency in food quality, flavour, portion sizes and presentation

Lead, hire, train and mentor kitchen staff, fostering a positive, supportive and productive team environment

Prepare kitchen rosters in accordance with occupancy forecasts, service requirements and labour budgets

Manage food ordering, stock control and supplier relationships

Maintain high standards of food safety, hygiene and workplace health and safety

Ensure compliance with relevant Tasmanian food safety regulations and procedures

Take an active, hands-on approach to all aspects of kitchen operations, including food preparation, cooking, cleaning and general kitchen duties

About you

Minimum 3 years' experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef, ideally within a hotel, resort, or remote hospitality environment

Previous experience living and working in remote locations, with an understanding of the independence, adaptability and planning required

A genuinely hands-on, team-first attitude, with a willingness to roll up your sleeves and tackle all aspects of the job

Strong leadership skills, with the ability to train, motivate and support a small kitchen team

Experience in menu development, food costing, ordering, stock control and supplier management

Sound financial understanding, including labour costs, food costs and menu profitability

Excellent organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple service requirements

Ability to think quickly on your feet, remain calm under pressure and adapt to changing priorities

Full Australian working rights and a genuine interest in long-term employment

Accommodation, dinner and on-shift meals included

Competitive remuneration based on experience and applicable employment conditions

The opportunity to lead and develop a kitchen team in a unique wilderness hospitality environment

Creative input into menu development and the Lodge's future food offering

A supportive, close-knit team environment

About us

Located in the heart of Tasmania's spectacular Southwest Wilderness, Pedder Wilderness Lodge offers a truly unique hospitality experience, welcoming travellers from around the world alongside workers on the mighty Gordon Dam and Power Station. The Lodge combines the warmth and comfort of a wilderness retreat with the operational demands of catering for a major infrastructure workforce.

Your application will include the following questions:

• Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in Australia?
• How many years' experience do you have as a Head Chef?
• Do you have Food Safety Management experience?
• Do you have experience working in remote areas?