Head Chef - Acton

Cater Care; Canberra; On-site; AUD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounts at 650+ retailers

Training and progression opportunities

Ownership of your kitchen

Job summary

Burgmann College’s Head Chef role with Cater Care invites an experienced culinary leader to helm a busy, education-focused kitchen. You’ll oversee dining, functions and community events, shaping menus and driving kitchen performance in a high-volume setting.

You’ll balance creative menu development with procurement, production, and cost controls while leading a team of sous chefs and kitchen hands, ensuring HACCP and ACT hygiene standards are met.

Qualifications

• Trade qualification in Commercial Cookery or equivalent required.
• Current Food Safety Supervisor certification and RSA are essential.
• Proven experience leading kitchens in high-volume environments.
• Strong menu planning, procurement and HACCP knowledge.
• Good WHS compliance, hygiene standards and team leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead a high-volume kitchen across dining, functions and events.
• Develop a four-week rotating menu for diverse diners.
• Oversee procurement, production, portion control and costs.
• Manage a sous-chef team and kitchen staff rostering.
• Ensure food quality, safety, and service standards at all times.

Skills

Trade Qualification

Food Safety Supervisor

RSA

Head Chef experience

Menu planning

HACCP

WHS awareness

Food hygiene

Organizational skills

Communication

WWVP check

Working with Vulnerable People

Education

Certificate IV or equivalent

Job description

Job Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: ACT: Canberra

Job Category: Cook,Customer Service,Food & Beverage,Food Safety,Food Safety Supervisor,Food Service,Head Chef,Indigenous Participation,Kitchen,School Dining & Catering,Trade Qualified - Chef

HEAD CHEF | BURGMANN COLLEGE

• Lead a high-volume kitchen across dining, functions and community events
• Consistent 40-hour roster | Monday, Thursday & Friday: 9:00am–5:30pm | Saturday & Sunday: 11:30am–8:00pm
• Shape a four-week rotating menu and diverse dining experience
• Make your mark with Cater Care

Are you an experienced chef looking for a role where you can lead from the front and genuinely own the kitchen?

At Burgmann College, you’ll have the opportunity to put your stamp on a high-volume operation serving a diverse education and community environment. You’ll balance the creative side of menu development with the commercial realities of procurement, production and kitchen performance — while leading a team that looks to you for direction.

Job Description

What you’ll lead

• A four-week rotating menu designed for a diverse dining community.
• Large-scale institutional catering.
• College functions and formal dinners.
• Weekly Monday community dinners.
• Day-to-day kitchen operations and service.
• Menu development, procurement and commercial performance.
• Production forecasting, portion control and responsible resource management.
• Food quality, presentation and service standards.
• A team of sous chefs, commis chefs and kitchen hands.

You’ll lead, mentor, train and roster your team, while remaining hands-on across preparation, bulk cooking, service and general kitchen operations when required.

You’ll also maintain strict compliance with ACT Food Safety Standards, HACCP protocols, WHS requirements and College hygiene policies.

Desired Skills And Experience

What you’ll bring

• Trade Qualification in Commercial Cookery, Certificate IV or equivalent.
• Food Safety Supervisor certification and RSA.
• Proven experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef in a high-volume catering environment.
• Experience in menu planning, bulk cooking and delivering consistent food quality at scale.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, food safety, WHS and hygiene requirements.
• Strong organisational and communication skills.
• The ability to manage competing priorities in a fast‑paced kitchen.
• Valid ACT Working with Vulnerable People Check (WWVP), or willingness to obtain one.

Why this opportunity?

• 40-hour roster across five days: Monday, Thursday and Friday 9:00am–5:30pm, Saturday and Sunday 11:30am–8:00pm.
• Take responsibility for menu development, kitchen operations, procurement and commercial performance.
• Relish Discounts across 650+ retailers, restaurants, travel providers and everyday essentials.
• Training, career development and progression opportunities.
• Access Cater Care’s resources, backing and career opportunities while retaining meaningful ownership of your kitchen.
• Lead a high-volume kitchen in a vibrant education and community environment.

About Cater Care

Cater Care is a leading Australian‑owned contract catering provider with 25 years of experience across Aged Care, Education, Retail and Remote Services.

Our success is built on Care, Pride and Community. We’re committed to developing our people, creating meaningful career opportunities and fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

We strongly encourage applications from First Nations peoples and people from diverse backgrounds.

Ready to take the reins?

Bring your culinary leadership, commercial mindset and passion for great food to Burgmann College and Cater Care.

Job Ref# - 5746