Head Chef

Harbour Hospitality; Sydney; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Harbour Hospitality invites applications for a permanent Head Chef role at Camelia Grove Hotel, Alexandria. Lead a culinary team in delivering authentic Italian dishes, including pizza and pasta, while upholding premium casual dining standards.

You will design menus, manage inventory, mentor staff, and ensure strict food safety practices in a fast-paced environment. The position requires 3+ years in a senior culinary role, a culinary degree, and NSW Food Safety Supervisor certification.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Head Chef or in a senior culinary role within the hospitality industry; 3 years minimum preferred.
• Extensive experience in contemporary Italian cuisine, including authentic pizza and pasta preparation.
• Commitment to maintaining high standards within a premium casual Italian dining environment.
• Culinary degree or equivalent qualification from a recognised institution.
• Current Food Safety Supervisor certification as required by New South Wales legislation, with strong knowledge of food safety regulations and best practices.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills; experience managing a team of 6-8 personnel.
• Creative flair with a passion for culinary excellence.
• Ability to work under pressure and maintain high standards in a fast-paced environment.
• Availability to work a 7-day rotating roster, including weekends and public holidays.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the kitchen team, ensuring efficient operations and high-quality food preparation.
• Develop and design innovative menus that reflect seasonal ingredients and customer preferences.
• Manage inventory, ordering, and cost control to maintain budgetary targets and minimise food wastage.
• Train and mentor kitchen staff, fostering professional development and teamwork.
• Collaborate with front-of-house staff to ensure seamless service and customer satisfaction.
• Conduct regular kitchen audits to ensure equipment maintenance, cleanliness, and strict adherence to food safety protocols.
• Monitor and evaluate kitchen performance, implementing improvements as necessary.

Skills

Head Chef experience

Italian cuisine

Leadership

Team management

Education

Culinary degree

Food Safety Supervisor certification

Job description

This role is a permanent, full-time position for our soon-to-launch authentic Italian concept at Camelia Grove Hotel, Alexandria.

As the Head Chef, you will play a pivotal role in leading our culinary team to deliver exceptional dining experiences. Your expertise will ensure the highest standards of food quality, presentation, and safety, while fostering a creative and collaborative kitchen environment. You will be an integral part to our hospitality and catering operations, driving both customer satisfaction and business success.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the kitchen team, ensuring efficient operations and high-quality food preparation.
• Develop and design innovative menus that reflect seasonal ingredients and customer preferences.
• Manage inventory, ordering, and cost control to maintain budgetary targets and minimise food wastage.
• Manage inventory, ordering, and cost control to maintain budgetary targets.
• Train and mentor kitchen staff, fostering professional development and teamwork.
• Collaborate with front-of-house staff to ensure seamless service and customer satisfaction.
• Conduct regular kitchen audits to ensure equipment maintenance, cleanliness, and strict adherence to food safety protocols.
• Monitor and evaluate kitchen performance, implementing improvements as necessary.

Qualifications:

• Proven experience as a Head Chef or in a senior culinary role within the hospitality industry; 3 years minimum preferred.
• Extensive experience in contemporary Italian cuisine, including authentic pizza and pasta preparation.
• Commitment to maintaining high standards within a premium casual Italian dining environment.
• Culinary degree or equivalent qualification from a recognised institution.
• Current Food Safety Supervisor certification as required by New South Wales legislation, with strong knowledge of food safety regulations and best practices.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills; experience managing a team of 6-8 personnel.
• Creative flair with a passion for culinary excellence.
• Ability to work under pressure and maintain high standards in a fast-paced environment.
• Availability to work a 7-day rotating roster, including weekends and public holidays.
• Demonstrated capability to lead operational health and safety audits, ensuring full compliance with local regulatory standards.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

NOTE: Candidates may be requested to provide a portfolio showcasing original menu design, dish presentation, and mastery of sauce and small-goods preparation.

Why Work with Us?

We are dedicated to building our team through mentorship and community-building -- putting emphasis and priority on training our staff, upholding employee well-being, and offering career growth where effort is recognised and trust is earned.

Great hospitality is about making everyone feel welcome—and that starts with our team. We are a proud equal opportunity employer dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We encourage candidates from all walks of life, cultures, and abilities to apply. However, this role does not offer sponsorship at this stage.