Head Chef | Lead Kitchen Team & Menu Innovation

Minor Food Holding Co., Ltd.; Cairns Regional; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career growth

Hotel deals

Global perks

Retail rewards

Experiences

Insurance benefits

Parental leave

Wellness program

Job summary

Oaks Cairns Hotel is seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead our kitchen team on a full-time basis. You will oversee all kitchen operations, ensuring the highest standards of food quality, presentation, hygiene, and service, and inspire culinary excellence.

Lead the team, drive menu innovation, manage costs, and maintain compliance with WHS/HACCP, while collaborating with management on training and staff development to deliver exceptional guest experiences.

Qualifications

• Certificate III or IV in Commercial Cookery or equivalent.
• Proven experience as a Head Chef or in a senior kitchen leadership role within a hotel or high-volume environment.
• Strong leadership, communication, and team management skills.
• Strong financial awareness, including food cost control and inventory management.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and manage the kitchen team to ensure high performance and adherence to standards.
• Oversee the preparation and cooking of meals to consistently high quality and presentation standards.
• Plan, develop, and implement menus, including seasonal and special offerings, in line with guest expectations and brand standards.
• Monitor food costs, inventory, and stock control to maintain budgetary targets.
• Ensure full compliance with Workplace Health and Safety (WHS), HACCP, and all hygiene regulations.
• Maintain a clean, organised, and safe kitchen environment.
• Collaborate with management to support operational and strategic objectives, including training, rostering, and staff development.
• Continuously review kitchen operations to identify opportunities for efficiency and quality improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Kitchen management

Food cost control

Staff development

Communication

Team management

Education

Certificate III/IV in Commercial Cookery

Job description

Oaks Cairns Hotel is seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead our kitchen team on a full-time basis. You will oversee all kitchen operations, ensuring the highest standards of food quality, presentation, hygiene, and service, and inspire culinary excellence.

Lead the team, drive menu innovation, manage costs, and maintain compliance with WHS/HACCP, while collaborating with management on training and staff development to deliver exceptional guest experiences.