Job Description
Client Profile
An established hospitality operator is seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead the kitchen of a busy, recently renovated gastropub on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. With a strong local following and consistent trade across the week, the venue delivers an elevated yet approachable food offering centred on quality produce, well-executed pub favourites and contemporary seasonal dishes. A large, air-conditioned and well-equipped kitchen provides an excellent platform for an experienced chef to lead a high-volume operation.
Job Description
This is a hands-on leadership position for a Head Chef who enjoys being on the tools while maintaining strong commercial control of the kitchen. Working alongside an established brigade, you will lead key services, drive consistency and oversee the operational and financial performance of the department. There is also genuine scope to influence seasonal dishes and specials while maintaining the approachable style that resonates with the venue's market.
Key responsibilities include:
- Lead day-to-day kitchen operations and work hands-on alongside the brigade during key services
- Oversee menu development, seasonal specials, recipe costing and menu profitability
- Manage ordering, stock control, supplier relationships, rostering and kitchen administration
- Monitor food cost, labour performance and departmental KPIs while driving productivity
- Train, develop and motivate the brigade while maintaining high standards of food quality, presentation and kitchen culture
Candidate Profile
The successful candidate will be an experienced Head Chef with a background in premium pubs, gastropubs or high-volume restaurants. You will understand how to deliver quality food at significant volume while maintaining disciplined control over labour, food costs and operational systems. Most importantly, you will be a visible and engaged leader who enjoys cooking alongside the team and creating an accountable, positive kitchen environment.
You will bring:
- Proven Head Chef experience within a quality, high-volume hospitality environment
- Strong commercial knowledge across food costing, labour, rostering, ordering and stock management
- The ability to lead busy services while maintaining consistency, organisation and attention to detail
- A collaborative leadership style with strong communication and team-development skills
- Creativity and sound culinary judgement, with the ability to develop polished, contemporary dishes suited to a broad local market
Offer
An excellent opportunity to take ownership of a successful, high-volume kitchen with an established team and strong operational infrastructure. A competitive remuneration package is available for the right candidate, alongside annual remuneration reviews and potential for future performance-based incentives.
Regular Sunday and Monday days off are generally available, alongside a strong focus on maintaining sustainable working hours. On-site parking is also available.
To learn more about this role, submit your CV or contact Lee Thompson via lee@hastingspeople.com.au for a confidential discussion.
By applying to this role, you are agreeing to the terms set out in Hastings People's privacy policy available at the Hastings People website.
