Head Chef | Leichhardt Hotel

Australian Venue Co.; Rockhampton Regional; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

KPI bonus up to 20k

Relocation assistance

Career progression

Staff discounts

Training & development

Employee wellbeing

Job summary

Australian Venue Co. in Rockhampton seeks an experienced Head Chef to lead the Leichhardt Hotel kitchen and drive exceptional food experiences while delivering strong financial performance.

You will own all kitchen operations, mentor a brigade, manage labour and food costs, ensure safety and presentation standards, and collaborate with venue leadership to deliver a consistent, profitable offering across the business.

Qualifications

• Previous Head Chef or strong Senior Sous Chef ready to step up.
• Experience in high-volume pubs, hotels or casual dining venues.
• Strong knowledge of labour management, food costing and kitchen financials.
• Proven ability to lead, coach and develop teams.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.
• A passion for hospitality and delivering memorable guest experiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and develop the kitchen team.
• Manage labour costs, rosters and productivity targets.
• Control food costs, stock management and ordering.
• Maintain high food quality, consistency and presentation.
• Ensure compliance with food safety and WHS requirements.
• Recruit, train and retain talented kitchen staff.
• Drive a positive, accountable and high-performing kitchen culture.
• Collaborate with venue leadership to achieve operational and financial goals.

Skills

Leadership

Labour management

Food costing

Kitchen financials

Team mentoring

Communication

Organisational skills

Hospitality excellence

Guest experience

Job description

Job Description

Ready to take the reins of one of Rockhampton's most exciting pub kitchens?

Following a major redevelopment, the Leichhardt Hotel has cemented itself as a premier hospitality destination in Central Queensland. Boasting a large bistro, sports bar, function spaces and vibrant entertainment offering, we're seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead the kitchen team and drive exceptional food experiences for our guests.

About the RoleAs Head Chef, you'll take ownership of all kitchen operations, leading a passionate brigade while ensuring strong financial performance, food quality and team engagement. Working closely with the Venue Manager and Area Chef, you'll be responsible for delivering a consistent and profitable food offering across all areas of the business.

Key responsibilities include:

Leading, mentoring and developing the kitchen teamManaging labour costs, rosters and productivity targetsControlling food costs, stock management and orderingMaintaining high food quality, consistency and presentation standardsEnsuring compliance with food safety and workplace health requirementsRecruiting, training and retaining talented kitchen staffDriving a positive, accountable and high-performing kitchen cultureCollaborating with venue leadership to achieve operational and financial goals

About YouWe're looking for a hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and knows how to balance people, product and profit.

You'll have: Previous experience as a Head Chef or a strong Senior Sous Chef ready to step upExperience in high-volume pubs, hotels or casual dining venuesStrong knowledge of labour management, food costing and kitchen financialsProven ability to lead, coach and develop teamsExcellent organisational and communication skillsA passion for hospitality and delivering memorable guest experiencesA proactive and solutions-focused approach to leadership

What's on OfferCompetitive salary + up to $20,000 annual KPI bonus structureRelocation assistance available for the right candidateSupport from an experienced Area Chef and Operations teamCareer progression opportunities across Australian Venue Co's network of 250+ venuesStaff discounts across all AVC venuesTraining and development opportunities to support your career growthAccess to our Employee Assistance Program and wellbeing initiativesIf you're looking for an opportunity to lead a thriving kitchen, build a strong team and make a real impact at one of Rockhampton's most recognised venues, we'd love to hear from you.