Head Chef

Arcare Aged Care; Victoria; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Arcare Aged Care is seeking a Head Chef to lead kitchen operations across our Queensland residences. You will design nutritious menus, supervise the kitchen team, and ensure meals meet high standards in taste, portion size, and safety.

You will work closely with dietitians and staff to provide resident-centered dining experiences, manage stock and budget, and uphold Arcare’s commitment to quality care and nutritious meals.

Qualifications

• Certificate III or IV in Hospitality (Commercial Cookery)
• Food Safety Supervisor Certification
• Adaptability, passion for what you produce and how you lead the team
• Collaborative approach

Responsibilities

• Menu planning: assist with designing nutritious, diverse menus for residents with dietary requirements and preferences.
• Food preparation: prepare meals with fresh ingredients following food safety protocols.
• Quality control: ensure meals meet high standards in taste, appearance, and portion sizes; adjust based on feedback.
• Inventory & Budget management: manage kitchen stock and budget; source ingredients cost-effectively; minimise waste.
• Nutritional analysis: collaborate with dietitians to analyse meals’ nutritional content for well-balanced options.

Skills

Adaptability

Collaborative

Education

Certificate III or IV in Hospitality (Commercial Cookery)

Food Safety Supervisor Certification

Job description

About the Role

The Head Chef plays a significant role in enhancing the overall quality of life for residents at Arcare by providing delicious and nutritious meals. The Head Chef is responsible for managing the entire kitchen operations, which includes overseeing the staff and ensuring that high standards of food quality and safety are maintained.

Key responsibilities:

• Menu Planning: Assist with the design of nutritious and diverse menus that cater to the dietary requirements of Arcare residents, considering their specific health conditions, dietary requirements and preferences
• Food Preparation: Preparation and cooking of meals, ensuring that they are prepared with fresh ingredients and follow proper food handling and food safety protocols
• Quality Control: Ensure that all meals meet high-quality standards in taste, appearance, and portion sizes, and make adjustments as needed based on resident feedback
• Inventory & Budget Management: Manage the kitchen's stock levels and budget efficiently by sourcing ingredients cost-effectively and minimising food waste
• Nutritional Analysis: Work with dietitians and nutritionists to analyse the nutritional content of the meals, aiming to provide well-balanced and healthy options for residents

What we’re looking for

• Certificate III or IV in Hospitality (Commercial Cookery)
• Food Safety Supervisor Certification
• Adaptability, passion for what you produce and how you lead the team
• Collaborative approach

About Arcare

As one of Australia’s leading aged care providers, Arcare operates over 60 residences across QLD, NSW, ACT, SA and VIC, supported by more than 10, team members. Our focus is simple — building meaningful relationships between residents, families, and staff, with our residents at the heart of everything we do.