Ravensthorpe Estate Head Chef

Barrington Group Australia; Shellharbour City Council; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Ravensthorpe Estate seeks an experienced Head Chef to lead a new in-house catering operation at a premier wedding and events venue in Albion Park. You’ll shape menus, establish kitchen processes, and build a high-performing team with senior management support.

The role offers creative leadership, hands-on management, and a path to define the culinary direction for landmark events. You’ll oversee food production, supplier relationships, stock control and food cost management, ensuring exceptional

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading a commercial kitchen.
• Strong menu development and operational management skills.
• Experience managing food costs, purchasing and inventory.
• Excellent leadership and team-building abilities.
• Hands-on approach and commitment to quality.
• Relevant qualifications in Commercial Cookery or Hospitality.
• Minimum of five years’ industry experience.

Responsibilities

• Designing and developing seasonal menus.
• Recruiting, training and mentoring kitchen staff.
• Managing kitchen rostering and day-to-day operations.
• Maintaining food quality and presentation standards.
• Managing inventory, stock control and supplier relationships.
• Monitoring food costs and kitchen budgets.
• Ensuring compliance with food safety and WHS requirements.
• Working collaboratively with venue management and the Front of House team.
• Driving continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Skills

Kitchen leadership

Menu development

Food cost control

Staff mentoring

Purchasing

Inventory management

Food safety

Education

Commercial Cookery qualification

Job description

Create. Lead. Build Something Exceptional.

Ravensthorpe Estate is one of the South Coast's most beautiful wedding and events venues, nestled amongst manicured gardens, historic buildings and picturesque countryside in Albion Park.

We are excited to be bringing catering operations in-house and are seeking an experienced and passionate Head Chef to lead this exciting new chapter.

This is a rare opportunity to join a thriving wedding and events venue and establish a kitchen operation from the ground up. With brand-new kitchen facilities, an established Front of House team, and strong support from senior management, you'll have the opportunity to shape menus, processes and culture while building your own high-performing kitchen team.

If you've ever wanted the chance to create your own culinary vision without the demands of a traditional restaurant environment, this could be the role for you.

Create. Lead. Build Something Exceptional.

Ravensthorpe Estate is one of the South Coast's most beautiful wedding and events venues, nestled amongst manicured gardens, historic buildings and picturesque countryside in Albion Park.

We are excited to be bringing catering operations in-house and are seeking an experienced and passionate Head Chef to lead this exciting new chapter.

This is a rare opportunity to join a thriving wedding and events venue and establish a kitchen operation from the ground up. With brand-new kitchen facilities, an established Front of House team, and strong support from senior management, you'll have the opportunity to shape menus, processes and culture while building your own high-performing kitchen team.

If you've ever wanted the chance to create your own culinary vision without the demands of a traditional restaurant environment, this could be the role for you.

Why You'll Love This Role

Beautiful wedding venue location in Albion Park

Flexible hours and excellent work-life balance

Maximum two evening services per week with the majority of work focused on daytime preparation and event execution

Brand-new commercial kitchen facilities

Build and lead your own kitchen team

Established and experienced Front of House team already in place

Creative freedom to develop menus and standards

Opportunity to be part of an exciting period of growth and innovation

About the Role

As Head Chef, you will be responsible for establishing and leading all kitchen operations at Ravensthorpe Estate.

You will oversee menu development, food production, kitchen operations, staff leadership, supplier relationships, purchasing, stock control and food cost management, while ensuring exceptional quality and consistency across weddings and events. [Head Chef...pe Amended | Word]

Key responsibilities include:

• Designing and developing seasonal menus

• Recruiting, training and mentoring kitchen staff

• Managing kitchen rostering and day-to-day operations

• Maintaining food quality and presentation standards

• Managing inventory, stock control and supplier relationships

• Monitoring food costs and kitchen budgets

• Ensuring compliance with food safety and WHS requirements

• Working collaboratively with venue management and the Front of House team

• Driving continuous improvement and operational excellence

About You

You are an experienced chef who thrives on leadership, organisation and creativity.

You bring:

• Proven experience leading a commercial kitchen

• Strong menu development and operational management skills

• Experience managing food costs, purchasing and inventory

• Excellent leadership and team-building abilities

• A hands-on approach and commitment to quality

• Relevant qualifications in Commercial Cookery or Hospitality

• A minimum of five years' industry experience

• Passion for creating memorable dining experiences

The Opportunity

This is far more than a standard Head Chef position.

You'll have the chance to build a kitchen culture from day one, create systems that work, develop your own team and help shape the future food offering of one of the region's premier wedding venues.

If you're looking for a role that combines creativity, leadership, lifestyle and the opportunity to leave a lasting impact, we'd love to hear from you.

Beautiful weddings. Exceptional events. Outstanding hospitality.