Head Chef | Babylon Brisbane

Australian Venue Co.; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus up to $20K

Staff discounts across 240+ venues

Riverside dining venue in Brisbane

Career growth within hospitality group

Job summary

Babylon Brisbane on the Brisbane River invites an experienced Head Chef with a strong Middle Eastern background to lead a premium dining kitchen. You will drive menu development, maintain high standards and mentor a high-performing team in a vibrant, high-volume environment.

Ideal candidates will bring hands-on leadership, a deep Levantine repertoire, and experience in hatted or fine-dining settings. This role offers a competitive salary and a clear path for growth within Australian Venue Co.

Qualifications

• Experience as Head Chef or senior kitchen leader in a quality restaurant.
• Strong Middle Eastern culinary background.
• Experience in premium or hatted dining environments is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and develop the kitchen team, fostering a positive culture.
• Oversee daily kitchen operations including prep, service, stock control and ordering.
• Maintain exceptional food quality, presentation and consistency across services.
• Apply Middle Eastern flavours, techniques and contemporary interpretations.
• Collaborate on menu development, seasonal specials and new ideas.
• Manage food costs, labour, wastage and kitchen budgets while upholding standards.
• Uphold food safety and workplace safety standards.

Skills

Head Chef leadership

Middle Eastern cuisine

Menu development

Food costing

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 Role

We’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 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

About You

• Proven experience as a Head Chef or senior kitchen leader in a quality restaurant
• A strong Middle Eastern culinary background is essential
• Experience in hatted restaurants or premium dining establishments is highly desirable
• Extensive knowledge of Middle Eastern and Levantine cuisine, including mezze, charcoal cooking, wood-fired techniques and bold, layered flavours
• A creative approach to food with the technical ability to execute consistently at a high standard
• Strong leadership, communication and team development skills
• Commercially minded, with a solid understanding of food costing, labour management and kitchen performance
• Organised, hands on and comfortable leading a busy kitchen through demanding services
• A genuine passion for quality ingredients, great food and delivering memorable dining experiences

Why Join Babylon Brisbane?

• Competitive salary + annual bonus of up to $20K paid quarterly
• Staff discounts across 240+ venues in Australia & NZ
• Lead the kitchen of a distinctive riverside dining destination in the heart of Brisbane
• Take ownership of kitchen operations and make a real impact on food quality, team culture and commercial performance
• Enjoy opportunities to grow your career within a broader hospitality group