Head Chef

Williams Hospitality; Sydney; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Professional development

Creative kitchen

Team culture rewards

Job summary

Williams Hospitality is seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead culinary operations at our Kurrajong, NSW location. This full-time role focuses on menu development, cuisine quality, and team leadership to deliver exceptional dining experiences for guests.

You will mentor a small kitchen team, develop innovative menus, and ensure all dishes meet top quality, health, and safety standards while controlling costs and maintaining ingredient freshness.

Qualifications

• 5+ years' professional cooking experience with senior kitchen leadership.
• Formal culinary qualifications or equivalent demonstrated experience in food preparation and kitchen management.
• Exceptional culinary skills with strong knowledge of various cooking techniques, cuisines and presentations.
• Proven leadership and people management abilities to motivate and develop team members.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, hygiene standards and HACCP compliance procedures.

Responsibilities

• Leading, mentoring and managing kitchen staff, including commis chefs and kitchen assistants.
• Developing innovative menus reflecting seasonal produce and brand identity.
• Ensuring all dishes meet high standards of quality, consistency and presentation, in line with health and safety regulations.
• Managing procurement, stock control and inventory to optimize costs while maintaining ingredient quality.
• Overseeing kitchen operations, including preparation, cooking methods and plating procedures.
• Maintaining HACCP compliance and food safety standards.
• Training and developing kitchen staff through coaching and feedback.
• Collaborating with front-of-house management to ensure seamless service."
• Monitoring food costs and implementing strategies to improve profitability without compromising quality.
• Creating and maintaining kitchen policies, procedures and documentation.

Skills

Head chef leadership

Culinary expertise

Food safety HACCP

Menu development

Team management

Education

Formal culinary qualifications

Job description

Williams Hospitality is seeking an experienced and passionate Head Chef to lead our culinary operations at our Kurrajong, NSW location. This is a full-time position that offers the opportunity to showcase your culinary expertise and leadership skills in a dynamic hospitality environment. As Head Chef, you will be at the forefront of our kitchen operations, having an opinion in menu development, maximizing food quality, and leading a talented small team to deliver exceptional dining experiences to our guests.

Key responsibilities

Leading, mentoring and managing kitchen staff, including commis chefs and kitchen assistants, whilst fostering a positive and collaborative team environment

Helping develop innovative menus that reflect seasonal produce, culinary trends and the establishment's brand identity

Ensuring all dishes are prepared to the highest standards of quality, consistency and presentation, in line with health and safety regulations

Managing food procurement, stock control and inventory to optimize costs whilst maintaining ingredient quality and freshness

Overseeing kitchen operations, including food preparation, cooking methods and plating procedures

Maintaining strict adherence to food safety, hygiene and sanitation standards, including HACCP principles

Training and developing kitchen staff through coaching, performance feedback and professional development opportunities

Collaborating with front-of-house management and other departments to ensure seamless service delivery

Monitoring food costs and implementing strategies to improve profitability without compromising quality

Creating and maintaining kitchen policies, procedures and documentation as required

What we're looking for

A minimum of 5+ years' professional cooking experience, with Head Chef or senior kitchen leadership role experience a bonus

Formal culinary qualifications or equivalent demonstrated experience in food preparation and kitchen management

Exceptional culinary skills with strong knowledge of various cooking techniques, cuisines and food presentations

Proven leadership and people management abilities, with the capacity to motivate and develop team members

Strong knowledge of food safety, hygiene standards and HACCP compliance procedures

Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities

Sound understanding of food costing, budgeting and inventory management

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Physical fitness and stamina to work in a fast-paced kitchen environment for extended periods

Current Food Safety Supervisor certification or willingness to obtain it

Experience in regional or boutique hospitality settings is highly desirable

What we offer

• Competitive salary package commensurate with experience and qualifications
• Opportunities for professional development and culinary training
• A collaborative kitchen environment that values innovation and creativity
• A supportive team culture that recognizes and celebrates achievements