Head Chef / Kitchen Manager | Event Catering | $100k + KPI Bonus

Good 2 Eat Catering; Tanawha; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Good 2 Eat Catering is seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead the kitchen for weddings, corporate functions, and private celebrations across the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane regions. You will cook, lead preparation and work alongside a dedicated kitchen team to deliver exceptional events.

The role requires strong leadership, high-volume catering experience, and the ability to manage multiple events with changing priorities. Weekend work and driving a company van may be required.

Qualifications

• Must be an experienced chef with strong leadership and team management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily kitchen preparation and off-site event delivery.
• Plan production across multiple events, menus and deadlines.
• Create and manage kitchen rosters for chefs and assistants.
• Attend logistics meetings with operations and events teams.
• Review menus, dietary requirements, and production plans.
• Monitor food quality, presentation, and portion control.
• Oversee ordering, food costs, waste and productivity.
• Train and develop the kitchen team and maintain safety standards.

Job description

Tired of the same kitchen, the same menu and the same service every week?

Imagine leading the food experience at stunning weddings, major corporate functions, private celebrations and unforgettable events across South East Queensland. One week you could be serving an intimate wedding feast at a private property. The next, you could be leading the kitchen team for a major event with hundreds of guests.

GREAT CHEFS WANT TO WORK WITH GREAT CHEFS
GOOD PEOPLE WANT TO WORK WITH GOOD PEOPLE

If you care about producing exceptional food, leading a capable team and working alongside people who genuinely support one another, Good 2 Eat Catering wants to meet you.

This is more than another Head Chef job.

We are an award-winning professional off-site catering company operating from our commercial kitchen in Tanawha. During busy periods, we deliver between 10 and 25 events each week, predominantly weddings and corporate functions.

No two weeks are the same, and that is exactly what makes this role exciting. Event days are energetic, rewarding and fun. Prep days are structured, organised and focused.

Established systems support preparation lists, recipes and ordering, allowing you to spend less time reinventing processes and more time leading your team.

About the role

This is a hands-on Head Chef position. You will cook, lead preparation and attend events alongside your team. You will also take responsibility for planning, rostering, food quality, costs and the development of your kitchen team.

You will be supported by an experienced Sous Chef and Operations Manager, along with the owners, event coordinators and warehouse team.

Key responsibilities

• Lead daily kitchen preparation and professional off-site event delivery
• Plan production across multiple events, menus and deadlines
• Prepare kitchen rosters and coordinate chefs and kitchen hands
• Attend logistics meetings with the Operations Manager and event team
• Review menus, dietary requirements, run sheets and production plans
• Manage food quality, presentation, consistency and portion control
• Oversee ordering, food costs, waste and kitchen productivity
• Train, support and develop the kitchen team
• Maintain food safety, kitchen cleanliness and workplace standards
• Communicate confidently with clients, venue coordinators and suppliers
• Drive company vehicles to events when required
• Contribute ideas to improve systems, processes and future menus

About you

• You are an experienced chef who takes pride in both the food you produce and the way you lead people. You understand that being a great Head Chef requires more than cooking ability. It takes preparation, communication, accountability and the confidence to address problems before they affect the team or client.
• Previous experience as a Head Chef, Sous Chef or senior kitchen leader
• At least one year of demonstrated kitchen leadership experience
• Strong event, function, banquet or high-volume catering experience
• The ability to manage multiple events and changing priorities
• Excellent organisation and time-management skills
• Confidence leading a kitchen team of six or more people
• Strong communication skills across kitchen and front-of-house teams
• A calm, practical approach when plans change or pressure increases
• A commitment to food quality, presentation and consistency
• Sound knowledge of food safety and workplace health and safety
• A current Australian driver's licence and confidence driving a van
• Availability to work weekends and varied hours according to the event schedule
• Experience towing a trailer would be helpful, but it is not essential.

The person we are looking for

Skills matter, but attitude and leadership matters just as much. We want someone who leads by example, treats people with respect, takes responsibility, communicates early and enjoys bringing out the best in others.

Our goal is to continue to be recognised as one of the best catering companies across the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane. We need a Head Chef who shares that ambition and understands that exceptional events are created by exceptional teams.

About Good 2 Eat Catering

Good 2 Eat Catering was established in 2016 and operates from our commercial kitchen in Tanawha on the Sunshine Coast. We cater for weddings, corporate functions, conferences, retreats, private celebrations and major events across the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and surrounding regions.

We were named Queensland's Best Caterer at the 2022 Australian Bridal Industry Awards and placed among the Top Three Independent Caterers in Australia in 2024.

Our values

ABOVE & BEYOND

• ACCOUNTABILITY
• TEAMWORK
• SUSTAINABILITY
• COMMUNITY