Head Chef / Executive Chef

Ascott; Sydney; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff accommodation discounts across 0

Free coffee

Discounted meals

Family Special Event Leave

Team perks

Job summary

lyf Bondi Junction is seeking a Head Chef / Executive Chef to lead an experience-led kitchen and elevate Bonnibel dining. You will shape the food program, collaborate with F&B and property teams, and drive guest-focused execution in a high-energy setting.

You will mentor a kitchen team, manage cost and quality, and create fresh menus aligned with the lyf vibe in a flagship Sydney property. This hands-on leadership role suits a dynamic, social-living environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading an experience-led kitchen.
• Strong commercial mindset with ability to drive margins.
• Hands-on leader who builds culture in a fast-paced setting.
• Experience in cafés, hotels, or lifestyle venues with guest focus.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire the kitchen team to build a high-performing culture.
• Elevate and evolve Bonnibel food offering in line with the lyf brand.
• Drive commercial performance while maintaining quality.
• Deliver consistent, high-quality food across daily service, events, and activations.
• Partner with F&B Service and Sales to grow catering, events, and activation revenue.
• Create menus that are fresh, relevant, and operationally smart.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, WHS, and standards.
• Be present, hands-on, and leading from the front.

Skills

Leadership

High-volume kitchen

Food cost management

Menu development

Guest focus

Job description

Hey there! We’re lyf— a next-generation, experience-led hospitality brand redefining how people live, stay, and connect.

At lyf, it’s not just about a place to sleep. It’s about community, creativity, and shared experiences— where guests can stay, work, play, and connect in one vibrant environment.

Our property, lyf Bondi Junction, is one of Sydney’s most dynamic social-living destinations. With strong occupancy, a growing community of travellers, and a buzzing F&B offering at Bonnibel, we’re now looking for a Head Chef / Executive Chefto take our kitchen and dining experience to the next level.

The Role

This is more than a traditional Head Chef role.

You’ll be leading an experience-led kitchen, shaping how food contributes to the overall lyf vibe — social, energetic, and memorable.

Reporting directly to the General Manager, you’ll work closely with the F&B team and wider property to ensure our dining offering continues to evolve, perform commercially, and stand out in the local market.

What You’ll Own

• Lead and inspire the kitchen team, building a strong, engaged, and high-performing culture
• Elevate and evolve the Bonnibelfood offering in line with the lyf brand and guest expectations
• Drive commercial performance(food cost, margins, productivity) while maintaining quality
• Deliver consistent, high-quality food across daily service, events, and activations
• Partner with F&B Service and Sales to grow catering, events, and activation revenue
• Create menus that arefresh, relevant, and operationally smart
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, WHS, and operational standards
• Be present, hands-on, and visible — leading from the front

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience as a Head Chef / Executive Chef in a high-volume, quality-driven environment
• Strong commercial mindset— you understand how kitchens make money, not just great food
• A leader who builds culture, not just manages a roster
• Experience in cafés, hotels, or lifestyle venues with a strong guest focus
• Comfortable working within structured systems & policies, while still bringing creativity
• Hands-on, adaptable, and thrives in a dynamic environment
• Availability to work across a flexible roster (including evenings and weekends)

Why This Role is Different

This isn’t just another kitchen job.

At lyf, you’re part of something bigger — an experience-led ecosystemwhere food plays a central role in how guests connect, socialise, and remember their stay.

You’ll have the opportunity to:

• Shape a growing F&B concept within a globally expanding brand
• Be part of a property with strong momentum and clear direction
• Work in a highly collaborative, non-traditional hotel environment
• Contribute to events, activations, and community-driven experiences

What We Offer

• Staff accommodation discounts across 900+ properties globally
• Free coffee (it's a good one), discounted meals, and team perks
• Access to exclusive leave benefits (including Family Special Event Leave)
• A fast-paced, supportive, and fun team environment
• Real opportunity togrow with the lyf brand