Head Chef – Gold Coast
- Lead and manage the kitchen operation across all food service areas.
- Design and implement seasonal menus while ensuring food quality and profitability.
- Oversee food preparation and service for events, ensuring compliance with safety standards.
Job Overview
About the Opportunity
Our client is a well-established golf and events venue located on the Gold Coast, offering a diverse hospitality operation that includes clubhouse dining, café service, weddings, corporate functions, conferences, and private events.
An exciting opportunity has become available for an experienced Head Chef to lead the kitchen operation and drive culinary excellence across all areas of the business.
This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for overseeing daily food operations, menu development, team performance, food quality, financial outcomes, and compliance standards. The successful candidate will play a key role in delivering exceptional dining experiences for members, guests, and event clients while supporting the continued growth of the venue’s events and functions business.
The position offers predominantly daytime hours, making it an attractive opportunity for hospitality professionals seeking greater work-life balance without sacrificing career progression.
Key Responsibilities
Kitchen Leadership & Operations
- Lead and manage the day-to-day kitchen operation across all food service areas.
- Recruit, train, mentor, and develop kitchen team members.
- Foster a positive, professional, and high-performing kitchen culture.
- Manage kitchen rostering and labour costs to maximise operational efficiency.
Menu Development
- Design, implement, and regularly update seasonal menus.
- Develop offerings across breakfast, lunch, clubhouse dining, and weekly evening service.
- Introduce innovative menu concepts that align with customer expectations and business objectives.
- Ensure menu consistency, quality, and profitability.
Events & Function Catering
- Lead food preparation and service for weddings, conferences, corporate functions, networking events, and private celebrations.
- Develop event menus tailored to client requirements and venue capabilities.
- Deliver high-quality food service for events of up to 200 guests.
Financial & Commercial Management
- Manage food costs, purchasing, supplier relationships, and stock control.
- Monitor kitchen budgets and drive cost-effective operational practices.
- Minimise waste while maintaining quality standards.
- Identify opportunities to improve profitability and operational performance.
Quality, Safety & Compliance
- Maintain exceptional food quality, presentation, and consistency.
- Ensure compliance with all food safety regulations and HACCP requirements.
- Uphold workplace health and safety standards throughout the kitchen operation.
- Maintain accurate compliance records and operational documentation.
About You
You are a passionate and commercially minded hospitality leader who enjoys balancing quality food production with operational efficiency. You thrive in fast-paced environments and have experience leading both à la carte and large-scale event catering operations.
Essential Requirements
- Trade-qualified Chef.
- Minimum 5–10 years’ experience within commercial kitchens.
- Proven leadership experience as a Senior Sous Chef, Sous Chef, or Head Chef.
- Strong experience managing and developing kitchen teams.
- Demonstrated success in menu development and seasonal menu planning.
- Sound understanding of food cost management, labour control, and inventory management.
- Excellent knowledge of food safety and compliance requirements.
Highly Regarded
- Experience within a golf club, resort, hotel, premium club, or function venue environment.
- Strong background in weddings, conferences, corporate functions, and large-scale event catering.
- Additional hospitality management, leadership, or business qualifications.
What’s on Offer
- Salary package of $110,000 – $120,000 plus superannuation.
- Predominantly daytime hours with improved work-life balance.
- Opportunity to lead a diverse food and events operation.
- Supportive management team and established venue.
- Autonomy to influence menu direction and kitchen performance.
- Long-term career opportunity with a respected hospitality business on the Gold Coast.
If you are an experienced culinary leader seeking your next challenge in a dynamic hospitality environment, we would welcome your application.
We vet all employer accounts and do our best to keep job ads safe, but scams can still occur. Be cautious when sharing personal information — never provide financial details or make payments during the application process. For extra security, use the Apply button on our site when proceeding.