Permanent Chef / cook — Rivermill Café (Weekend mandatory)

Colourful.Land Pty Ltd; Gold Coast City; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid annual leave

Personal leave

Superannuation

Supportive team culture

Daytime hours

Job summary

Colourful.Land Pty Ltd operates Rivermill Café on the Gold Coast hinterland, Mount Nathan. We are seeking a Demi Chef to join the culinary team in a permanent full-time position, hours 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM, across café, functions and events.

You will work with the Head Chef and kitchen team to deliver consistently excellent food, lead a section, and contribute to menu development while maintaining high hygiene standards and positive team culture.

Qualifications

• Certificate III in Commercial Cookery or equivalent trade qualification.
• Experience as a Demi Chef or Commis Chef in café/restaurant.
• Current Food Safety certificate or willingness to obtain.
• Ability to work under pressure during peak service.
• Reliable and flexible with rotating weekends.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook a variety of café dishes, including breakfast items, lunch service, and daily specials to consistent quality standards.
• Take ownership of an assigned section, working under the direction of the Head Chef and senior kitchen staff.
• Maintain strict food safety and hygiene standards in accordance with food handling regulations and café protocols.
• Manage multiple cooking stations confidently during peak weekend and function service.
• Assist with mise en place, stock rotation, and preparation schedules.
• Collaborate with front‑of‑house staff to ensure timely delivery of meals and a seamless guest experience.
• Monitor food inventory, minimise wastage, and communicate stock requirements to the Head Chef.
• Maintain cleanliness and organisation of the kitchen workspace and equipment.
• Adapt to menu changes, dietary requirements, and special requests whilst maintaining service flow.
• Contribute to menu development and seasonal specials.
• Support and mentor junior kitchen team members and contribute to a positive, collaborative kitchen culture.

Skills

Demi Chef experience

Teamwork

Communication

Food safety knowledge

Education

Certificate III in Commercial Cookery

Job description

We are seeking a talented and enthusiastic Demi Chef to join the culinary team at Rivermill Café. This is a permanent full-time position offering genuine stability, a competitive annual salary, and the opportunity to grow within a busy and well-established hospitality venue. Based in Mount Nathan on the Gold Coast hinterland, you will work alongside our Head Chef and kitchen team to deliver consistently excellent food to guests across our café, functions, and events.

This is a hands‑on role in a fast‑paced environment where quality, consistency, and creativity are paramount — and where your work is visible to thousands of guests every month.

About the role

We are seeking a talented and enthusiastic Demi Chef to join the culinary team at Rivermill Café. This is a permanent full-time position offering genuine stability, a competitive annual salary, and the opportunity to grow within a busy and well‑established hospitality venue. Based in Mount Nathan on the Gold Coast hinterland, you will work alongside our Head Chef and kitchen team to deliver consistently excellent food to guests across our café, functions, and events.

This is a hands‑on role in a fast‑paced environment where quality, consistency, and creativity are paramount — and where your work is visible to thousands of guests every month.

Key responsibilities

• Prepare and cook a variety of café dishes, including breakfast items, lunch service, and daily specials to consistent quality standards

• Take ownership of an assigned section, working under the direction of the Head Chef and senior kitchen staff

• Maintain strict food safety and hygiene standards in accordance with food handling regulations and café protocols

• Manage multiple cooking stations confidently during peak weekend and function service

• Assist with mise en place, stock rotation, and preparation schedules

• Collaborate with front‑of‑house staff to ensure timely delivery of meals and a seamless guest experience

• Monitor food inventory, minimise wastage, and communicate stock requirements to the Head Chef

• Maintain cleanliness and organisation of the kitchen workspace and equipment

• Adapt to menu changes, dietary requirements, and special requests whilst maintaining service flow

• Contribute to menu development and seasonal specials

• Support and mentor junior kitchen team members and contribute to a positive, collaborative kitchen culture

What we're looking for

• Demonstrated experience as a Demi Chef, Commis Chef ready to step up, or equivalent in a café, restaurant, or similar hospitality environment

• Certificate III in Commercial Cookery (or equivalent trade qualification), or substantial equivalent experience

• Strong knowledge of food preparation techniques and cooking methods across multiple sections

• Current Food Safety certificate or willingness to obtain

• Ability to work efficiently and calmly under pressure during peak service times

• Excellent communication and teamwork skills

• Reliability and flexibility across a rotating roster, including weekends and public holidays

• A genuine passion for quality food and hospitality

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to high hygiene standards

• Experience with café‑style cooking and breakfast preparation is highly desirable

• Valid working rights in Australia

• Own reliable transport (the venue is not serviced by public transport)

What we offer

• Permanent full‑time position — Upto A$78,000 per annum plus superannuation, depending on experience

• 38 hours per week across a 5‑day rotating roster, including Saturday and Sunday

• Typical shifts 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM — daytime hours with no late‑night finishes

• Paid annual leave, personal leave, and all permanent employee entitlements

• A supportive team culture that values culinary excellence and hospitality

• Involvement in menu development and seasonal specials

• A beautiful hinterland workplace surrounded by heritage gardens, farm animals, and river views

About us

Colourful.Land Pty Ltd operates Rivermill Café, part of Historic Rivermill — a heritage tourism destination in Mount Nathan welcoming around 150,000 visitors each year across our café, wedding and events venue, equestrian experiences, farm animals, and farmstay accommodation.

Our café is built on the foundation of delivering fresh, quality food prepared with care, combined with genuine hospitality. We believe in creating memorable experiences for our guests through exceptional food, warm service, and a colourful, inclusive atmosphere. We are committed to supporting our team members and fostering a kitchen culture where creativity and excellence thrive.