Head Chef, Melbourne Airport

Vertali APAC Pty Ltd; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free staff car parking

Discount on food & beverage purchases

Airport ASIC pass valid for 24 months

Reward and Recognition program

Learning and career development

Being part of a global company opens a

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Job summary

Delaware North Australia at Melbourne Airport is seeking a Head Chef to oversee our Communal Kitchen and drive exceptional food experiences across multiple outlets, including Little Lygon, The Local Taphouse and a high-volume production kitchen.

You will lead a talented culinary team, ensuring HACCP compliance, menu planning, inventory control and labour cost management, while collaborating with venue leaders to deliver consistent, high-quality guest experiences in a busy airport environment.

Qualifications

• Proven Head Chef experience in a high-volume environment.
• Certificate IV Commercial Cookery is required.
• Diploma of Hospitality and HACCP Certification are preferred.
• Strong expertise in menu development, including pasta and pizza.
• Experience leading, developing and motivating culinary teams.
• Commercial acumen with labour, food costs and profitability.

Responsibilities

• Drive kitchen operations to achieve financial plan, profit margins and business growth.
• Oversee menu planning and design, consistently producing fresh and high-quality food offerings.
• Ensure HACCP and Food Safety standards across all back of house operations.
• Manage inventory control, COGS and labour costings and profit and loss reporting.
• Recruit, train and develop team members to ensure culinary team success.
• Collaborate with venue leaders to ensure consistent execution and exceptional guest experiences.

Skills

Leadership

High-volume kitchen

Menu development

Cost control

HACCP compliance

Staff training & development

Education

Certificate IV Commercial Cookery

Diploma of Hospitality

HACCP Certification

Australian Culinary Federation qualified

Job description

The opportunity Delaware North Australia is hiring a full-time Head Chef to oversee our dynamic Communal Kitchen operation at Melbourne Airport. Responsible for delivering exceptional food experiences across multiple venues, including Little Lygon, The Local Taphouse and our high-volume production kitchen, you’ll lead a talented culinary team while driving consistency, innovation and operational excellence. We’re seeking a passionate culinary leader with experience across high-volume kitchen operations and a strong understanding of pasta and pizza preparation to help shape the food offering across our diverse portfolio of dining concepts. This is an exciting opportunity for an accomplished chef to make a significant impact within one of Australia's busiest airport environments while developing and inspiring a high-performing kitchen team.

The application period will close on 13/11/2026, unless a successful qualified candidate is identified sooner.

What We Offer

• Free staff car parking
• Discount on food & beverage purchases across our outlets
• Airport ASIC pass valid for 24 months
• Reward and Recognition program
• Learning and career development opportunities
• Being part of a global company opens doors to various possibilities across our network of Australian and international resorts, airports and stadiums

What will you do?

• Drive kitchen operations to achieve financial plan, profit margins and business growth
• Oversee menu planning and design, consistently producing fresh and high-quality food offerings
• Ensure compliance with HACCP and Food Safety standards across all back of house operations
• Manage inventory control, COGS and labour costings and profit and loss reporting
• Recruit, train and develop team members to ensure culinary team success
• Collaborate with venue leaders and stakeholders to ensure consistent execution, operational excellence and exceptional guest experiences

More About You

• Proven experience as a Head Chef in a high-volume restaurant or hospitality environment
• Certificate IV Commercial Cookery
• Diploma of Hospitality, HACCP Certification & Australian Culinary Federation qualified chef, preferred
• Strong expertise in menu development, including pasta and pizza preparation
• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop and motivate culinary teams
• Commercial acumen with experience managing labour, food costs and profitability
• Ability to work a 7-day rotating roster

Who We Are

Melbourne Airport is one of Australia’s busiest transport hubs, welcoming millions of passengers each year. Delaware North operates a range of premium food and beverage outlets within the airport, including Pickett's Deli & Rotisserie, Stomping Ground Brewery and Tap House. These venues offer travellers everything from quick bites to full-service dining, showcasing quality ingredients and local flavours.

Our airport outlets provide a welcoming experience that complements the airport’s modern terminals and world-class amenities, ensuring guests enjoy great food and service before their journey. Our business is all about people, and that includes you.

At Delaware North, you’re not just part of a team — you’re part of a global legacy: a family-owned company with 100+ years of history behind it. Our operations span the world, offering you unique paths to growth and success. Who says you can’t love where you work? With jobs in iconic sports arenas, stunning national parks, exciting casinos, and more, we pride ourselves on giving the world great times in great places. And whether you’re interested in restaurants, hotels, sports, gaming, operations, or retail, part-time or full-time, we’re invested in helping you achieve your career goals. Together, we’re shaping the future of hospitality — come grow with us!

At Delaware North Australia & New Zealand, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.

We welcome applications from all backgrounds, orientations, and experiences.