Head Chef - Modus Merewether

RGIT Australia; Newcastle City Council; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff discounts

Shift drink

Beachside venue

Community-minded crew

Input into business direction

Job summary

Modus is a proudly independent craft brewery based in Newcastle, NSW, housing a fully operational kitchen that serves elevated pub fare with a Mexican influence. The Head Chef leads a kitchen team across busy à la carte service, functions and events, shaping a bold menu designed to pair with our beer range and seasonal releases.

You will manage food costs, recruit and mentor staff, and uphold top safety and hygiene standards in a 300-seat venue near Merewether Beach, with a strong sustainability

Qualifications

• At least 3+ years of experience as a Head Chef or strong Sous Chef in a high-volume venue.
• Trade qualifications (Certificate III/IV in Commercial Cookery or equivalent).
• Food Safety Supervisor certification (NSW).
• Strong understanding of Mexican flavours and techniques, seafood handling, or both.
• Proven ability to manage food cost, GP and labour, with confidence in the numbers.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop and write menus that reflect the Modus style, including seasonal specials and dishes designed to pair with our core range and limited releases.
• Collaborate with the brewing team on beer-and-food pairings for masterclasses, tap takeovers, release days and events.
• Run high-volume service with consistency, speed and quality, from a packed Saturday lunch to a 300-person function.
• Plan and execute function and event menus, including canapés, grazing, banquets and set menus, working closely with the events team.
• Recruit, train and mentor a kitchen brigade of sous chefs, CDPs, commis, apprentices and kitchen hands, and build a positive, respectful kitchen culture.
• Manage food costs, GP targets, ordering, stock control and wastage, and prepare regular reporting for management.
• Build rosters and manage kitchen labour to budget.
• Source from local and sustainable suppliers wherever possible, in line with Modus values.
• Maintain the highest standards of food safety, hygiene and WHS, including the food safety program, allergen management and council compliance.
• Look after kitchen equipment and maintenance, and keep the kitchen clean, organised and running efficiently.

Skills

Head Chef experience

Menu development

Food cost control

Team leadership

Food safety

Education

Certificate III/IV in Commercial Cookery

Job description

Merewether, New South Wales 2291, Australia

Full-time Permanent Mid-level Senior

Posted 29 Sep 2026

Description

About the role

We're looking for a Head Chef to take ownership of the Modus kitchen and lift our food to the same level as our beer. Our menu is elevated pub food with a fresh Mexican influence and a love of good seafood. It's bold, generous food built to be eaten with a cold beer. You'll lead the kitchen team, shape the menu, run a tight and profitable operation, and deliver consistently great food across busy à la carte service, functions and events.

Key responsibilities

• Lead, develop and write menus that reflect the Modus style, including seasonal specials and dishes designed to pair with our core range and limited releases.
• Collaborate with the brewing team on beer-and-food pairings for masterclasses, tap takeovers, release days and events.
• Run high-volume service with consistency, speed and quality, from a packed Saturday lunch to a 300-person function.
• Plan and execute function and event menus, including canapés, grazing, banquets and set menus, working closely with the events team.
• Recruit, train and mentor a kitchen brigade of sous chefs, CDPs, commis, apprentices and kitchen hands, and build a positive, respectful kitchen culture.
• Manage food costs, GP targets, ordering, stock control and wastage, and prepare regular reporting for management.
• Build rosters and manage kitchen labour to budget.
• Source from local and sustainable suppliers wherever possible, in line with Modus values.
• Maintain the highest standards of food safety, hygiene and WHS, including the food safety program, allergen management and council compliance.
• Look after kitchen equipment and maintenance, and keep the kitchen clean, organised and running efficiently.

About you

• At least 3+ years of experience as a Head Chef or strong Sous Chef in a high-volume venue, ideally a pub, brewery, bistro or large-format restaurant.
• Trade qualifications (Certificate III/IV in Commercial Cookery or equivalent).
• Food Safety Supervisor certification (NSW).
• Strong understanding of Mexican flavours and techniques, seafood handling, or both.
• Proven ability to manage food cost, GP and labour, with confidence in the numbers.
• A calm, organised leadership style and a genuine commitment to developing your team.
• Curiosity about craft beer and how it works with food.
• Availability across weekends, evenings and public holidays as the roster requires.

About us

Modus is an independent, award-winning craft brewery that started on Sydney's Northern Beaches and now calls Newcastle home. Our Merewether venue sits alongside a fully operational brewery. It seats up to 300 guests and pours brewery-fresh beer from 36 taps, from hazy IPAs and lagers to sours, stouts and our non-alcoholic NORT range. Sustainability and community drive everything we do, from our 100% green-energy venue to the local producers and clubs we support.

• Take creative ownership of the menu in one of Newcastle's standout venues.
• Get a competitive salary with real input into the direction of the business.
• Work with an independent brewery team that loves collaborating across brewing, bar and kitchen.
• Enjoy staff discounts on food, beer and merch, plus a shift drink.
• Work in a modern, sustainably built venue a short walk from the beach.
• Join a tight-knit, community-minded crew.