Head Chef | The Strand

Australian Venue Co.; Yeppoon; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Staff discounts

Oceanfront venue

Coastal location

Career development

Job summary

The Strand Hotel in Yeppoon, a landmark venue, is seeking an experienced Head Chef to take ownership of the kitchen and lead a team through the next chapter. This hands-on leadership role suits a calm, resilient chef who can drive quality food in a busy pub environment.

You will lead, mentor and develop a high-performing kitchen team, manage daily operations, costs and HACCP compliance while delivering pub classics and functions at a coastal waterfront venue.

Qualifications

• Experience as Head Chef or Sous Chef ready to step up.
• Calm and organized during busy services.
• Resilient and solutions-focused.
• Confident and supportive people leader.
• Experience in high-volume pub, club, hotel or similar venues.
• Strong across food quality, cost control and kitchen operations.
• Hands-on and lead from the front.
• Available to work across a busy seven-day operation.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and develop the kitchen team.
• Own daily kitchen operations and service standards.
• Deliver a quality menu of pub classics, local favourites and functions.
• Maintain consistency, presentation and portion control.
• Manage ordering, stock control, food costs and kitchen budgets.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, hygiene and workplace standards.
• Work closely with the Venue Manager and leadership team.
• Recruit, train and support a high-performing kitchen team.
• Create a positive, respectful and accountable kitchen culture.

Skills

Head Chef/Chef de Partie leadership

Calm under pressure

People leadership

High-volume operations

Food quality & cost control

Education

Hospitality management experience

Tools

Food safety & HACCP

Job description

Lead the kitchen of one of Yeppoon’s most iconic waterfront venues.

The Strand Hotel has been part of the Yeppoon community for more than 60 years. Located opposite the beautiful Keppel Bay, The Strand is a busy oceanfront venue offering all-day dining, pub classics, local favourites, live music, functions, sporting events and a lively weekend atmosphere.

We’re looking for an experienced Head Chef to take ownership of the kitchen and lead the team into its next chapter.

This is a hands‑on leadership role suited to a calm, resilient chef who can stay composed under pressure, build a strong team culture and consistently deliver quality food in a busy pub environment.

About the role

• Lead, mentor and develop the kitchen team
• Take ownership of daily kitchen operations and service standards
• Deliver a quality menu of pub classics, local favourites and functions
• Maintain consistency, presentation and portion control
• Manage ordering, stock control, food costs and kitchen budgets
• Ensure compliance with food safety, hygiene and workplace standards
• Work closely with the Venue Manager and leadership team
• Recruit, train and support a high‑performing kitchen team
• Create a positive, respectful and accountable kitchen culture

About you

We’re looking for someone who is:

• An experienced Head Chef or Sous Chef ready to take the next step
• Calm and organised during busy services
• Resilient and solutions‑focused
• A confident and supportive people leader
• Experienced in high‑volume pub, club, hotel or similar venues
• Strong across food quality, cost control and kitchen operations
• Hands‑on and willing to lead from the front
• Passionate about developing a team and delivering great experiences
• Available to work across a busy seven‑day operation

Why join The Strand?

• Competitive salary + annual bonus of up to $20K paid quarterly
• Staff discounts across 240+ venues in Australia & NZ
• Lead the kitchen of a well‑known oceanfront venue
• Work in a beautiful coastal location in Yeppoon
• Join a supportive venue and leadership team
• Opportunity to make your mark on the kitchen operation
• Access to career development across Australian Venue Co.

If you’re a steady, capable and people‑focused chef looking for your next leadership opportunity, we’d love to hear from you.