Head Chef

Cauliflower Hotel; Sydney; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Rostered days off every week

Competitive salary package for akichen

Job summary

Cauliflower Hotel in Sydney is seeking a Head Chef to lead day-to-day kitchen operations, ensure top quality, consistency, and profitability, and mentor a dedicated team while coordinating with front-of-house management.

You will design and cost menus, drive profitability through food cost and labor control, oversee recruitment and rostering, enforce HACCP and OHS, manage inventory and supplier relations, and help shape the culinary direction of our iconic Sydney venue.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef in high-volume pub, hotel, or premium bistro.
• Strong leadership and mentoring abilities.
• Strong financial acumen with experience in rostering and controlling labor costs.
• Full working rights in Australia.

Responsibilities

• Design, cost, and implement creative, high-quality menus for bistro and function dining.
• Drive profitability by managing food costs (COGS), labor budgets, and kitchen efficiency.
• Recruit, train, roster, and mentor kitchen staff to foster a high-performing team.
• Maintain HACCP, OHS, and hygiene standards for a safe kitchen.
• Manage inventory, stock rotation, and build strong supplier relationships.

Skills

Leadership

Cost control

Staff mentoring

Kitchen management

Job description

As Head Chef, you will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the kitchen, ensuring exceptional food quality, consistency, and profitability. You will lead, mentor, and inspire a dedicated team while maintaining seamless communication with front-of-house management.

Key responsibilities

Design, cost, and implement creative, high-quality bistro and function menus that align with current food trends and patron expectations

Drive kitchen profitability by managing food costs (COGS), labor budgets, and optimizing kitchen efficiency

Recruit, train, roster, and mentor kitchen staff, fostering a positive, collaborative, and high-performing team culture

Maintain strict adherence to food safety, hygiene (HACCP), and OHS standards, ensuring a clean and safe working environment

Manage inventory, stock rotation, and build strong relationships with suppliers to ensure premium product quality

About you

Proven experience as a Head Chef or strong Senior Sous Chef in a high-volume pub, hotel, or premium bistro environment

Strong leadership skills with a track record of mentoring junior staff and managing successful kitchen teams

Exceptional financial acumen with demonstrated experience in rostering, labor cost control, and meeting COGS targets

Full working rights in Australia

• Roster structured with guaranteed consecutive days off every week
• Competitive salary package for a kitchen leader

The opportunity to put your stamp on an iconic Sydney venue and shape our culinary direction

About us

The Cauliflower Hotel is an iconic, multi-level pub and community hub in the heart of Waterloo. Known for our vibrant atmosphere, premium bistro dining, and busy functions spaces, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional experiences to our locals and visitors alike.