Relief Head Chef

Opal Aged Care; New South Wales; Hybrid; AUD 55,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Scholarships up to $15,000 for further

Paid parental leave

$5,000 referral bonuses

Visa sponsorship available

Job summary

Opal HealthCare in Neutral Bay is seeking a Head Chef to lead the Lansdowne Gardens Care Community kitchen, designing seasonal menus and delivering outstanding dining experiences for residents. You will manage a day-time kitchen, mentor staff, and ensure the highest food safety and hygiene standards.

The role emphasizes creative menu development, budget-aware purchasing, and a Monday–Friday roster with a focus on resident satisfaction and quality meals.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in a head chef role or senior chef position.
• Ability to design seasonal, resident-centric menus.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, hygiene, and compliance.
• Experience in kitchen budgeting, stock control, and ordering.
• Excellent communication and team leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the kitchen team to deliver nutritious, delicious meals daily.
• Design creative seasonal menus catering to residents’ diverse needs.
• Maintain high standards of food safety and kitchen hygiene.

Skills

Leadership

Menu design

Food safety

Budgeting

Communication

Education

Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery or equivalent

Job description

Lansdowne Gardens Care Community, 11 Manns Avenue, Neutral Bay, New South Wales, Australia

Neutral Bay NSW 2089, Australia

Posted Tuesday 14 October 2025 at 2:00 pm

"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 142 Care Communities and over 20,000 team members nationwide.

About the Role:

We're looking for a passionate and creative Head Chef to lead our kitchen, design incredible menus, and deliver an outstanding dining experience for our residents at Lansdowne GardensCare Community.

What's on Offer:

• Remuneration: Attractive salary package + superannuation
• Additional Benefits: Monday to Friday roster, 12% superannuation

Why Choose Opal?

• True work-life balance— Lead a day-time kitchen with a Monday to Friday roster
• Career development— Masterclasses, networking, and leadership pathways via our Opal HealthCare Academy
• Creative freedom— Design seasonal menus and create memorable dining experiences
• Study support— Scholarships up to $15,000 for further education
• Paid parental leave— Industry-leading policy
• $5,000 referral bonuses for bringing a friend onboard
• Visa sponsorship available for eligible candidates

What You'll Do:

• Lead, mentor, and inspire our kitchen team to deliver nutritious and delicious meals every day.
• Design creative, seasonal menus that cater to the diverse needs and preferences of our residents.
• Maintain the highest standards of food safety, kitchen hygiene, and compliance.
• Manage kitchen budgets, stock control, and ordering efficiently.
• Create a dining experience that brings joy and enhances our residents' quality of life.

What You'll Need:

• Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery or equivalent trade qualification.
• Proven experience as a Head Chef or Senior Chef in a leadership role.
• A passion for culinary excellence and a genuine desire to make a difference in aged care.
• Strong leadership, communication, and financial management skills.
• Willingness to complete:
• Pre-employment medical
• NDIS Worker Screening Check

Lead with Flavour

If you are a leader who believes in the power of food to bring joy and nurture community, we would love to hear from you.

Job details

Job family Catering

Pay type Hourly

Lansdowne Gardens Care Community, 11 Manns Avenue, Neutral Bay, New South Wales, Australia,