Regional Relief Chef- Northern Sydney

Opal Healthcare; Sydney; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career development

Scholarships up to $15,000

Referral bonuses $5,000

National secondment opportunities

Opal HealthCare Academy

Job summary

Opal HealthCare is seeking an experienced Regional Relief Chef to support multiple care communities across Northern Sydney, providing Head Chef and Sous Chef coverage as needed. This role requires travel across assigned Opal HealthCare regions and a hands-on leadership approach in the kitchen.

You will bring a Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery, Food Safety Supervisory Certification, and 5+ years of Head Chef experience in aged care, hotels, or similar environments.

Qualifications

• Must hold Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery or equivalent.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in kitchens, preferably aged care or hospitality.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills required.
• Solid knowledge of food safety and WHS standards.
• Ability to manage stock, ordering, and budgets within procurement guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Prepare nutritious, high-quality meals aligned with resident dietary needs and cultural preferences.
• Create meaningful dining experiences to support resident wellbeing.
• Lead kitchen and hospitality teams when covering Head Chef or Sous Chef duties.
• Maintain food safety, hygiene, and WHS compliance, and manage stock and budgets.
• Build connections with residents, families, and staff; support training and coaching of kitchen staff.
• Contribute to seasonal menus and community events.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Food safety

Education

Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery

Food Safety Supervisory Certification

Job description

"At Opal HealthCare, we know that companies don’t succeed, people do."
Our purpose is to bring joy to those we care for and our values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence reflect that CARE is at the heart of everything we do. Opal HealthCare is one of Australia’s leading aged care providers with over 150 Care Communities and over 23,000 team members nationwide.

About the Role:

We’re looking for a passionate and experienced Regional Relief Chef to support our care communities by delivering exceptional dining experiences and stepping into key culinary leadership roles during periods of leave.

This is a hands‑on Chef role requiring travel across Northern Sydney providing Head Chef and Sous Chef coverage as needed. You’ll bring a Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery, Food Safety Supervisory Certification, and 5+ years’ Head Chef experience in aged care, hotels, or similar environments.

What’s on Offer:

• Location: Regional travel across your assigned Opal HealthCare region
• Employment Type: Permanent full-time position
• Remuneration: Attractive base salary + 12% superannuation
• Variety & Flexibility: Work across multiple Care Communities, bringing your skills where they are needed most

Why Choose Opal?

• Supportive work environment — Join an experienced hospitality and leadership tea
• Career development through the Opal HealthCare Academy and culinary upskilling programs
• Leadership pathways — Grow into senior culinary or hospitality leadership roles
• Study support — Scholarships up to $15,000 for further professional development
• $5,000 referral bonuses for bringing great people into the team
  National secondment opportunities — Explore new locations and broaden your experience
• Be part of sector‑leading innovation in aged care food services

What You’ll Do:

• Prepare nutritious, high‑quality meals aligned with resident dietary needs, preferences, and cultural requirements
• Create meaningful food experiences that enhance resident wellbeing
• Lead kitchen and hospitality teams when covering Head Chef or Sous Chef duties
• Maintain exceptional standards in food safety, hygiene, and WHS compliance
  Manage stock, ordering, and kitchen budgets in line with Opal procurement guidelines
• Build strong connections with residents, families, and team members
  Support training, onboarding, and coaching of kitchen staff
• Contribute to seasonal menu creation and community‑wide catering events

What You’ll Need:

• Food Safety Supervisor Certification
• Minimum 3 years’ experience as a Che
• Previous supervisory or leadership experience (hospitality/aged care highly regarded
• Excellent communication, leadership, and time‑management skill
• Ability to stay calm, professional, and solutions‑focused in busy kitchen environment
• Understanding of Food Safety, WHS, infection control, and relevant legislation
• Willingness to complete:
• Police Check
• NDIS Worker Screening Check

Create Meaningful Experiences Through Food

If you are a talented chef who believes food plays a vital role in joy, wellbeing, and connection, this is your opportunity to make a profound impact across multiple communities.