Head Chef - Mount Eliza Botanica Care Community

Opal HealthCare; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Visa sponsorship available

Relocation assistance

Paid parental leave

Flexible public holiday options

Opal HealthCare Academy

Job summary

Opal HealthCare is seeking a Head Chef for Mount Eliza Botanica Care Community on the Mornington Peninsula. You will lead our hospitality team, delivering nutritious, high‑quality meals while guiding kitchen operations and mentoring staff to bring our food philosophy to life daily.

Join a supportive team that values compassion, growth and meaningful connections, with opportunities to influence menus, budgets and resident satisfaction in a premier care community.

Qualifications

• Food Safety Supervisor certification is required.
• Experience leading kitchen or hospitality teams.
• Ability to deliver outstanding food and customer experiences.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Solid understanding of food safety, WHS and kitchen compliance.
• Excellent organisational, communication and time management abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire the catering team to deliver exceptional dining experiences.
• Plan and prepare nutritious, high-quality meals that meet resident preferences and dietary requirements.
• Create seasonal menus and enhance resident dining experiences.
• Coach and develop kitchen staff through mentoring and on-the-job training.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, infection control and workplace safety requirements.
• Manage ordering, stock control and catering budgets to minimise waste and maximise value.
• Build positive relationships with residents and families to understand dining preferences.
• Drive continuous improvement across hospitality services and resident satisfaction.

Skills

Food Safety Supervisor

Team leadership

Customer experience

People management

Food safety and WHS knowledge

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Job description

\"At Opal HealthCare, we know that companies don\'t succeed, people do."Our purpose is to bring joy to those we care for and our values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence reflect that C.A.R.E is at the heart of everything we do. Opal HealthCare is one of Australia\'s leading private aged care providers, with over 150 Care Communities, caring for more than 14,000 residents and supporting over 23,000 team members nationwide.

Permanent | Full-time | Monday to Friday | 9am - 5pm

About the Role

We\'re looking for a passionate and experienced Head Chef to lead our hospitality team and create exceptional dining experiences for our residents. You\'ll play a key role in delivering nutritious, high-quality meals while leading kitchen operations, mentoring team members, and bringing our food philosophy to life every day.

Join Mount Eliza Botanica Care Community and work in a beautifully designed, modern care community on the Mornington Peninsula, where exceptional care and resident wellbeing are at the heart of everything we do.

Be part of a supportive and professional team that values compassion, growth, and meaningful connections while making a genuine difference in the lives of older Australians every day

What You\'ll Do

• Lead and inspire the catering team to deliver exceptional dining experiences
• Plan and prepare nutritious, high-quality meals that meet resident preferences and dietary requirements
• Create seasonal menus and contribute to engaging food experiences for residents
• Coach and develop kitchen team members through mentoring and on-the-job training
• Ensure compliance with food safety, infection control, and workplace safety requirements
• Manage ordering, stock control, and catering budgets to minimise waste and maximise value
• Build positive relationships with residents and families to understand their dining preferences
• Drive continuous improvement across hospitality services and resident satisfaction

Benefits & Rewards

• Permanent full-time opportunity
• Competitive salary package plus 12% superannuation
• Visa Sponsorship available and relocation assistance
• Paid parental leave and flexible public holiday options
• Ongoing learning and development through the Opal HealthCare Academy
• Scholarships of up to $15,000 for further study
• State and national career progression opportunities
• Team Member discounts, wellbeing programs and recognition initiatives
• $5,000 referral bonus for eligible referrals
• Industry-leading systems, technology and innovation
• Supportive leadership team and rewarding career pathways

What You\'ll Bring

• Food Safety Supervisor certification
• Previous experience leading kitchen or hospitality teams
• Passion for delivering outstanding food and customer experiences
• Strong leadership, coaching, and people management skills
• Sound understanding of food safety, WHS, and kitchen compliance requirements
• Excellent organisational, communication, and time management skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
• Willingness to complete:
• Pre-employment medical
• Police Check
• NDIS Worker Screening Check

Make a Meaningful Move

Join a team that values your expertise, supports your growth, and empowers you to create memorable dining experiences for residents every day.