Head Chef | Babylon Brisbane

Australian Venue Co.; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus up to $20K

Staff discounts across 240+ venues in

Job summary

Babylon Brisbane, a premium riverside dining destination, is seeking an experienced Head Chef with a strong Middle Eastern culinary background to lead a high-performing kitchen. You will own kitchen operations, mentor your team, and deliver bold, mezze-forward dishes while maintaining exceptional quality in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.

Located on the Brisbane River, Babylon Brisbane brings Levant flavours to life with wood-fired meats, mezze and vibrant shared plates; join us to drive

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Head Chef or senior kitchen leader in a quality restaurant.
• Strong Middle Eastern culinary background is essential.
• Experience in hatted restaurants or premium dining environments desirable.
• Excellent leadership, communication and team development skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and develop the kitchen team, creating a positive and accountable kitchen culture.
• Oversee daily kitchen operations across preparation, service, stock control and ordering.
• Maintain exceptional food quality, presentation and consistency across every service.
• Bring a strong understanding of Middle Eastern flavours, ingredients, traditional techniques and contemporary interpretations.
• Work collaboratively on menu development, seasonal specials and new culinary ideas.
• Manage food costs, labour, wastage and kitchen budgets while maintaining quality.
• Uphold food safety, hygiene and workplace safety standards.
• Deliver smooth, organised service in a busy, high-volume dining environment.

Skills

Leadership

ME cuisine

Menu development

Food costing

Labour management

High-end dining

Team development

Job description

Lead the kitchen. Celebrate Middle Eastern cuisine. Create something exceptional.Babylon Brisbane is looking for an experienced Head Chef with a strong Middle Eastern culinary background and a passion for delivering exceptional food in a premium dining environment.Located on the Brisbane River, Babylon brings the flavours of the Levant to life through bold spices, generous mezze, wood-fired meats, charcoal-grilled seafood and vibrant shared plates. With multiple dining spaces, terraces and a distinctive food offering, this is an opportunity to lead a kitchen where flavour, quality and creativity are at the heart of everything we do.The RoleWe’re looking for a confident, hands-on Head Chef who understands Middle Eastern cuisine and has the experience to lead a high-performing kitchen. Ideally, you’ll have worked in hatted restaurants or other high-end dining environments, bringing strong technical skills, attention to detail and a genuine passion for food.You’ll take ownership of kitchen operations, lead and develop your team, maintain exceptional standards and continue to deliver a menu that showcases the depth and character of Middle Eastern cooking.Your responsibilities will include:Lead, mentor and develop the kitchen team, creating a positive and accountable kitchen cultureOversee daily kitchen operations across preparation, service, stock control and orderingMaintain exceptional food quality, presentation and consistency across every serviceBring a strong understanding of Middle Eastern flavours, ingredients, traditional techniques and contemporary interpretationsWork collaboratively on menu development, seasonal specials and new culinary ideasManage food costs, labour, wastage and kitchen budgets while maintaining qualityUphold food safety, hygiene and workplace safety standards.Deliver smooth, organised service in a busy, high-volume dining environmentAbout YouProven experience as a Head Chef or senior kitchen leader in a quality restaurantA strong Middle Eastern culinary background is essentialExperience in hatted restaurants or premium dining establishments is highly desirableExtensive knowledge of Middle Eastern and Levantine cuisine, including mezze, charcoal cooking, wood-fired techniques and bold, layered flavoursA creative approach to food with the technical ability to execute consistently at a high standardStrong leadership, communication and team development skillsCommercially minded, with a solid understanding of food costing, labour management and kitchen performanceOrganised, hands-on and comfortable leading a busy kitchen through demanding servicesA genuine passion for quality ingredients, great food and delivering memorable dining experiencesWhy Join Babylon Brisbane?Competitive salary + annual bonus of up to $20K paid quarterlyStaff discounts across 240+ venues in Australia & NZLead the kitchen of a distinctive riverside dining destination in the heart of BrisbaneTake ownership of kitchen operations and make a real impact on food quality, team culture and commercial performanceEnjoy opportunities to grow your career within a broader hospitality groupIf you’re a passionate culinary leader with a strong Middle Eastern background and the experience to deliver at a high level, we’d love to hear from you.Apply now and bring your culinary vision to Babylon Brisbane.