Hiring An Experienced Chef

Light Star Trading Pty. Ltd.; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 80,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

38 hours per week

Salary $80k–$85k

Superannuation

Friendly team

Menu development opportunities

Job summary

PJ's Mexican Kitchen Mitcham is seeking a skilled Chef to join our busy kitchen on a full-time, ongoing basis. You will prepare Mexican dishes, contribute to menu planning, and maintain high quality and safety standards.

The role requires a minimum 38 hours per week, includes evenings and weekends as rostered, and offers a competitive salary of $80,000–$85,000 plus superannuation. You will work in a supportive team environment with opportunities for long-term growth.

Qualifications

• Three+ years of relevant full-time professional chef experience.
• Proven experience in a busy commercial kitchen.
• Strong knowledge of Australian food safety standards.
• Ability to plan menus and manage kitchen operations.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, cook, and present Mexican dishes per recipes and standards.
• Plan and develop menus in consultation with management—seasonal specials.
• Monitor food quality, taste, portions, and presentation for consistency.
• Coordinate kitchen activities during busy service periods.
• Manage kitchen workflow to ensure efficiency and on-time meals.
• Order ingredients, check deliveries, and monitor stock levels.
• Maintain stock rotation and inventory control procedures.
• Monitor food costs and assist with waste reduction.
• Ensure food safety, hygiene, and WHS compliance.
• Supervise and train kitchen staff as needed.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe kitchen environment.

Skills

Commercial cookery

Menu planning

Food safety

Kitchen teamwork

Education

Certificate IV in Kitchen Management

Job description

Chef – Full-Time | PJ's Mexican Kitchen Mitcham

Salary: $80,000 per year + superannuation

Employer: Light Star Trading Pty Ltd trading as PJ's Mexican Kitchen Mitcham

Location: 695–697 Whitehorse Road, Mitcham VIC 3132

Employment Type: Full-time, ongoing

Hours: Minimum 38 hours per week, including evenings and weekends as rostered

About Us

PJ's Mexican Kitchen Mitcham is a well-established and busy restaurant specialising in authentic Mexican cuisine. We take pride in delivering delicious, high-quality food, friendly service, and a welcoming dining experience for our local community.

We are currently seeking a skilled, passionate, and experienced Chef to join our friendly kitchen team on a full-time, ongoing basis.

About the Role

The successful candidate will be responsible for preparing and cooking a variety of Mexican dishes, maintaining high food quality standards, contributing to menu planning, and ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of our kitchen.

We are looking for someone who enjoys working in a busy restaurant environment, takes pride in their cooking, and can work confidently both independently and as part of a team.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Preparing, cooking, and presenting a variety of Mexican dishes in accordance with established recipes and quality standards.
• Planning and developing menus in consultation with management, including seasonal specials and new dishes.
• Monitoring food quality, taste, portion sizes, and presentation to ensure consistency.
• Coordinating food preparation and cooking activities during busy service periods.
• Managing kitchen workflow to ensure meals are prepared efficiently and on time.
• Ordering ingredients, checking deliveries, and monitoring stock levels.
• Maintaining appropriate food storage, stock rotation, and inventory control procedures.
• Monitoring food costs, controlling wastage, and assisting with kitchen cost management.
• Ensuring compliance with food safety, hygiene, and workplace health and safety requirements.
• Supervising, training, and guiding kitchen staff where required.
• Maintaining a clean, organised, safe, and efficient kitchen environment.

Skills and Experience

To be considered for this position, applicants should demonstrate:

• Relevant commercial cookery qualifications, such as Certificate IV in Kitchen Management or an equivalent qualification, and/or at least three years of relevant full-time professional experience as a Chef.
• Proven experience working in a busy commercial kitchen.
• Strong cooking skills and a sound understanding of professional kitchen operations.
• Experience in menu planning, food preparation, and quality control.
• Good knowledge of Australian food safety and hygiene standards.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills.
• The ability to work independently and collaboratively with kitchen staff.
• A reliable, positive, and professional attitude.
• Experience preparing Mexican cuisine is highly regarded but not essential.

What We Offer

• Full-time, ongoing employment with a minimum of 38 hours per week.
• Competitive annual salary of $80,000–$85,000 plus superannuation, commensurate with skills and experience.
• A friendly, supportive, and welcoming working environment.
• Opportunities to contribute to menu development and kitchen operations.
• Long-term employment opportunities within an established local restaurant.

Job Type: Full-time, ongoing

Work Location: In person – Mitcham, Victoria