Lead Chef for Café Brunch & Seasonal Menu

Recrute Pty Ltd; Camden; On-site; AUD 75,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Caffe & Co Oran Park in New South Wales is seeking an experienced Chef to oversee day-to-day kitchen operations, coordinate food preparation and service, and maintain consistent quality and presentation across the café's menu.

You will manage kitchen workflow, guide kitchen staff, contribute to menu planning and seasonal updates, ensure food safety and hygiene, and work under pressure to deliver meals promptly during busy periods.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated commercial kitchen experience, including food preparation, cooking and presentation in a busy hospitality environment.
• Knowledge of menu planning, stock control, food safety, hygiene and kitchen procedures.
• Ability to guide kitchen staff and work independently while collaborating effectively with the Director and Managers.
• Strong communication, organisational and time-management skills.
• Availability to work weekdays and weekends in accordance with the roster and operational requirements of the café.

Responsibilities

• Plan and oversee the preparation, cooking and presentation of café-style menu items, including breakfast dishes, brunch plates, salads, burgers, pastas, desserts and specialty items.
• Oversee day‑to‑day kitchen operations, coordinating food preparation, service requirements and workflow to maintain efficient kitchen operations.
• Set up kitchen stations with the required utensils, equipment and ingredients, ensuring all stations are properly stocked and operational.
• Work with the Director and Managers on menu planning, seasonal updates and the development of new dishes that reflect the café's standards and customer preferences.
• Exercise independent judgement in coordinating kitchen activities, prioritising orders and managing workflow during busy service periods.
• Monitor food quality, portion sizes, taste, temperature and presentation to ensure dishes are consistently prepared in accordance with Caffe & Co's standards.
• Undertake food preparation tasks, including cutting, marinating, mixing, cooking and plating, and check that orders meet required standards before service.
• Coordinate cooking times to ensure meals are delivered promptly and items within the same order are completed simultaneously.
• Guide and supervise kitchen staff, including Cooks and junior food preparation workers, on cooking techniques, food handling procedures, recipes and menu specifications.
• Monitor stock levels, manage stock rotation and ensure adequate supplies of ingredients and kitchen products are available to meet daily service requirements.
• Contribute to ordering, inventory management and the efficient use of ingredients to minimise waste and maintain cost control.
• Assist with the training and development of kitchen staff and provide input to the Director and Managers regarding kitchen staffing and operational requirements.
• Maintain a clean, hygienic and organised kitchen, including workstations, equipment, refrigerators and storage areas.
• Enforce food safety, hygiene and sanitation standards in accordance with applicable NSW legislation and local council requirements.
• Comply with workplace health and safety policies, report hazards and ensure the safe use of kitchen equipment.
• Participate in kitchen meetings, recommend operational improvements and uphold Caffe & Co's commitment to high-quality food and customer satisfaction.

Skills

Commercial kitchen experience

Menu planning

Stock control

Food safety & hygiene

Staff supervision

Communication

Time management

Ability to work under pressure

Education

ANZSCO Skill Level 2 qualification

Job description

Caffe & Co Oran Park in New South Wales is seeking an experienced Chef to oversee day-to-day kitchen operations, coordinate food preparation and service, and maintain consistent quality and presentation across the café's menu.

You will manage kitchen workflow, guide kitchen staff, contribute to menu planning and seasonal updates, ensure food safety and hygiene, and work under pressure to deliver meals promptly during busy periods.