Lead Chef, High-Volume Pub Kitchen

Open Pantry Co.; Torquay; On-site; AUD 77,000 - 94,000; Full time

Job summary

Open Pantry Co. in Torquay, VIC, is seeking a hands-on Head Chef to lead a compact kitchen in a coastal brewery venue. Base salary $85,000, full-time, with a menu set at group level and recipes/supply handled centrally so you can focus on service and team leadership.

You will supervise a brigade of two Chefs de Partie (a third role coming), run daily operations, ensure food safety, rostering, and maintain high standards across all services.

Qualifications

• Head Chef or strong senior Sous experience in a high-volume pub or comparable kitchen.
• Ability to run a clean, consistent, well-organised section.
• Solid grasp of food safety, rostering and cost control.
• Full working rights in Australia (visa sponsorship is not available for this role)

Responsibilities

• Lead a brigade of yourself plus two Chefs de Partie, with a third role coming.
• Focus on execution, consistency and operational discipline — not menu creation.
• Oversee daily kitchen operations from prep to pass.
• Ensure food safety and compliance standards.
• Roster and manage labour through seasonal demand.
• Lead and develop your brigade.

Skills

Head Chef experience

High-volume kitchen

Food safety knowledge

Leadership

Job description

Open Pantry Co. in Torquay, VIC, is seeking a hands-on Head Chef to lead a compact kitchen in a coastal brewery venue. Base salary $85,000, full-time, with a menu set at group level and recipes/supply handled centrally so you can focus on service and team leadership.

You will supervise a brigade of two Chefs de Partie (a third role coming), run daily operations, ensure food safety, rostering, and maintain high standards across all services.