Head Chef - Italian Cuisine

La Tabella; Whitsunday Regional; On-site; AUD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accommodation provided

Job summary

La Tabella Italian is seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead the kitchen in Airlie Beach, Whitsundays. This hands-on role requires confident daily management from prep to service and a track record of strong leadership.

You will oversee ordering, food and labour costs, maintain high standards, and recruit/train staff to sustain a reliable team in a busy, fully managed restaurant.

Qualifications

• Proven Head Chef experience with strong Italian cuisine and high-volume service.
• Hands-on leader who can run the kitchen independently and take responsibility for results.
• Experienced in recruiting and training staff, including seasonal and travelling workers.
• Able to maintain consistent standards as team members change.
• Strong understanding of food costs, stock management, waste control and kitchen labour.
• Calm, organised and decisive under pressure.
• Reliable and accountable, with pride in the food, the team and the cleanliness of the kitchen.

Responsibilities

• Remain calm, professional and respectful at all times, leading by example and maintaining a positive kitchen environment, including during busy services.
• Take ownership of daily kitchen operations, from preparation and service through to cleaning and close.
• Lead the pass and deliver consistently high-quality Italian dishes using agreed recipes, portions and presentation standards.
• Oversee stocks, sauces and core kitchen components made from scratch.
• Manage ordering, stock rotation, stocktakes, food costs and waste.
• Plan rosters around bookings and expected sales, controlling labour and overtime while maintaining service standards.
• Continually recruit, onboard and train staff to maintain a reliable kitchen team in Airlie Beach’s transient workforce.
• Plan ahead for staff departures, train across sections and maintain clear handover procedures.
• Set clear expectations, address performance issues and develop the team.
• Maintain recipes, preparation lists, food safety records and opening and closing procedures.
• Ensure the kitchen is thoroughly cleaned and checked before the team leaves.
• Review kitchen performance with management weekly and follow through on agreed improvements.

Skills

Head Chef experience

Italian cuisine

Leadership

Staff recruitment/training

Food cost control

Calm under pressure

Job description

We’re looking for an experienced Head Chef to lead the kitchen at La Tabella Italian.

This is a hands-on leadership role where you’ll be responsible for the day-to-day management and performance of the kitchen, from preparation through to service.

La Tabella operates under full management, so you’ll be expected to confidently run the kitchen, lead the team, manage ordering, food and labour costs, and maintain consistently high standards. You’ll work alongside our venue management team, with the owners providing oversight and support.

We’re looking for someone who takes genuine ownership of their kitchen, leads by example and knows how to build and maintain a strong, professional team.

Accommodation can be provided to support a smooth relocation and prompt start, with weekly rent discussed during the recruitment process.

About the role

We’re looking for an experienced Head Chef to lead the kitchen at La Tabella Italian.

This is a hands-on leadership role where you’ll be responsible for the day-to-day management and performance of the kitchen, from preparation through to service.

La Tabella operates under full management, so you’ll be expected to confidently run the kitchen, lead the team, manage ordering, food and labour costs, and maintain consistently high standards. You’ll work alongside our venue management team, with the owners providing oversight and support.

We’re looking for someone who takes genuine ownership of their kitchen, leads by example and knows how to build and maintain a strong, professional team.

Accommodation can be provided to support a smooth relocation and prompt start, with weekly rent discussed during the recruitment process.

Key responsibilities

• Remain calm, professional and respectful at all times, leading by example and maintaining a positive kitchen environment, including during busy services.

• Take ownership of daily kitchen operations, from preparation and service through to cleaning and close.

• Lead the pass and deliver consistently high-quality Italian dishes using agreed recipes, portions and presentation standards.

• Oversee stocks, sauces and core kitchen components made from scratch.

• Manage ordering, stock rotation, stocktakes, food costs and waste.

• Plan rosters around bookings and expected sales, controlling labour and overtime while maintaining service standards.

• Continually recruit, onboard and train staff to maintain a reliable kitchen team in Airlie Beach’s transient workforce.

• Plan ahead for staff departures, train across sections and maintain clear handover procedures.

• Set clear expectations, address performance issues and develop the team.

• Maintain recipes, preparation lists, food safety records and opening and closing procedures.

• Ensure the kitchen is thoroughly cleaned and checked before the team leaves.

• Review kitchen performance with management weekly and follow through on agreed improvements.

About you

• Proven Head Chef experience with strong Italian cuisine and high-volume service experience.

• A hands-on leader who can run the kitchen independently and take responsibility for results.

• Experienced in recruiting and training staff, including seasonal and travelling workers.

• Able to maintain consistent standards as team members change.

• Strong understanding of food costs, stock management, waste control and kitchen labour.

• Calm, organised and decisive under pressure.

• Reliable and accountable, with pride in the food, the team and the cleanliness of the kitchen.

About La Tabella

La Tabella Italian is an established Italian restaurant in the heart of Airlie Beach in the Whitsundays, QLD.

We’re a busy restaurant with a strong customer following and a focus on quality Italian food, consistency and great service.

This is an opportunity for an experienced head chef who wants to genuinely take ownership of a kitchen and lead it, while working within an established, fully managed restaurant.

See the restaurant, our food and what we do on Instagram:

@latabella_italian