Head Chef - Haven Restaurant

Mondrian; Gold Coast City; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Haven at Mondrian Gold Coast invites a dynamic Head Chef to lead the culinary team and shape the food culture of this coastal destination.

You will oversee daily kitchen operations across restaurant, pool club and events, design seasonal menus, manage food costs, mentor staff and ensure exceptional quality and service while upholding Australian safety standards.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years in a head chef/executive role within high-end hospitality.
• Proven experience with seafood, premium Australian produce and coastal cuisine.
• Strong knowledge of modern Australian cooking techniques and sustainable practices.
• Demonstrated menu development, kitchen leadership, team management and food cost control.
• Commercial understanding including budgeting, purchasing, stock management and labour control.
• Ability to lead, inspire and develop a diverse culinary team in a fast-paced environment.
• Creative, commercially minded with a passion for quality produce and memorable dining.

Responsibilities

• Lead the culinary vision for Haven, creating a distinctive offering that celebrates Australian coastal produce and woodfire cooking.
• Oversee daily kitchen operations across Haven, ensuring exceptional quality, consistency and service standards.
• Design and develop seasonal menus responsive to produce and guest preferences.
• Maintain strong relationships with local suppliers focusing on sustainability and premium ingredients.
• Oversee menus across restaurant, pool club, events and private dining experiences.
• Ensure compliance with food safety standards and Australian regulations.
• Manage food and labour costs, budgets and inventory, driving profitability without compromising quality.
• Lead, train and mentor the culinary team to foster a high-performance kitchen culture.
• Collaborate with F&B and hotel leadership to align Haven with Mondrian Gold Coast experience.
• Stay abreast of culinary trends while preserving Haven’s Burleigh identity.

Skills

Leadership

Menu development

Food cost control

Staff training

Seafood expertise

Budgeting

Quality assurance

Communication

Job description

Haven is where the barefoot rhythm of Burleigh comes alive. Haven is a timeless restaurant and pool club that celebrates the freshest, sustainable and ethically sourced local seafood and produce in a vibrant, inviting atmosphere.

Haven blends homegrown favourites with nostalgic flavours, adding a playful twist that embodies Burleigh's coastal vibe. Surrounded by sun and sea, Haven's menus offer uniquely warm and familiar surf and paddock-to-plate dishes that invite guests to experience the barefoot luxury of beachside lounging.

Haven is the true taste of Burleigh, where every meal feels like a homecoming.

We are seeking a dynamic, passionate and experienced Head Chef to lead our culinary team at Haven and play a key role in shaping the food culture of this exciting destination within Mondrian Gold Coast.

Haven is where the barefoot rhythm of Burleigh comes alive. Haven is a timeless restaurant and pool club that celebrates the freshest, sustainable and ethically sourced local seafood and produce in a vibrant, inviting atmosphere.

Haven blends homegrown favourites with nostalgic flavours, adding a playful twist that embodies Burleigh's coastal vibe. Surrounded by sun and sea, Haven's menus offer uniquely warm and familiar surf and paddock-to-plate dishes that invite guests to experience the barefoot luxury of beachside lounging.

Haven is the true taste of Burleigh, where every meal feels like a homecoming.

We are seeking a dynamic, passionate and experienced Head Chef to lead our culinary team at Haven and play a key role in shaping the food culture of this exciting destination within Mondrian Gold Coast.

Main Responsibilities

• Lead the culinary vision for Haven, creating a distinctive food offering that celebrates Australian coastal produce, seafood, woodfire cooking and contemporary culinary techniques.

• Oversee all daily kitchen operations across Haven, ensuring exceptional food quality, consistency, presentation and service standards.

• Design and develop creative, seasonal menus that respond to the best available produce, evolving guest preferences and Haven's coastal dining concept.

• Champion strong relationships with local and regional suppliers, with a focus on sustainably sourced seafood, premium Australian produce and seasonal ingredients.

• Oversee the development and execution of menus across restaurant, pool club, events and private dining experiences.

• Maintain strict food hygiene, health and safety standards, ensuring full compliance with relevant Australian regulations and hotel policies.

• Manage food costs, labour costs and departmental budgets, identifying opportunities to improve profitability without compromising quality or the guest experience.

• Monitor purchasing, stock control, wastage and supplier performance, maintaining accurate records and ensuring effective kitchen cost management.

• Lead, train, mentor and inspire the culinary team, fostering a positive, collaborative and high-performance kitchen culture.

• Establish and maintain clear kitchen procedures and standards to ensure efficient preparation, service and kitchen operations.

• Work closely with the Food & Beverage and hotel leadership teams to ensure Haven’s culinary offering aligns with the overall Mondrian Gold Coast experience.

• Collaborate with the wider hospitality team on seasonal activations, special events, promotions, poolside experiences and private functions.

• Stay current with culinary trends while maintaining a strong sense of identity and ensuring Haven remains innovative, relevant and true to its Burleigh roots.

Requirements

• Minimum 5+ years’ experience as a Head Chef, Executive Sous Chef or Senior Chef within a high-end restaurant, luxury hotel or premium hospitality environment.

• Proven experience working with seafood, premium Australian produce and contemporary coastal cuisine.

• Strong knowledge of modern Australian cooking techniques, seasonal produce, woodfire cooking and raw bar/seafood preparation.

• Demonstrated experience in menu development, kitchen leadership, team management and food cost control.

• Strong commercial understanding, including budgeting, purchasing, stock management, labour management and cost optimisation.

• Exceptional leadership skills, with the ability to inspire and develop a diverse culinary team in a fast-paced environment.

• A creative and progressive approach to food, with a genuine passion for quality produce and memorable dining experiences.

• Strong communication and organisational skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across kitchen, F&B and hotel operations.

• High attention to detail and a commitment to exceptional food, presentation and service standards.

• Food Safety Certification is desirable.

• Must have valid Australian Working Rights.

Why Join Mondrian Gold Coast?

Join Haven and become part of one of the Gold Coast's most exciting culinary destinations, where exceptional food meets the energy and lifestyle of Burleigh Heads.

You'll have the opportunity to shape the culinary identity of a dynamic venue within Mondrian Gold Coast, working across restaurant, poolside, events and lifestyle experiences while leading a passionate and ambitious culinary team.

If you're a creative and commercially minded chef who wants to make your mark on a destination built around great produce, great people and unforgettable experiences, we'd love to hear from you.