Head Chef

HEAD CHEF – FULL-TIME

Hungry Wolfs Terrigal
Shop 1, 90 Terrigal Esplanade, Terrigal NSW 2260
Employer: LA Hospitality Group Pty Ltd
Salary: $85,000 per annum plus superannuation
Employment type: Permanent full-time

Hungry Wolfs Terrigal is seeking an experienced and capable Head Chef to lead our busy Italian restaurant kitchen.

We are looking for a hands-on culinary professional with strong experience in Italian and Mediterranean cuisine who can maintain consistent food quality, lead and train a kitchen team, control costs and oversee the daily operation of a high-volume commercial kitchen.

Key responsibilities:

• Plan, develop and regularly review menus in consultation with management.
• Prepare and cook Italian and Mediterranean dishes to a consistently high standard.
• Oversee food preparation, cooking, plating and presentation.
• Lead, supervise, train and support chefs, cooks and kitchen attendants.
• Allocate kitchen duties and coordinate service across all sections.
• Develop recipes, portion specifications and presentation standards.
• Monitor the quality of ingredients and finished dishes.
• Manage ordering, stock rotation, storage and inventory control.
• Monitor food costs, portion control, wastage and kitchen productivity.
• Ensure the kitchen complies with food-safety, hygiene and workplace-safety requirements.
• Maintain HACCP procedures, cleaning schedules and temperature records.
• Work with management to plan seasonal menus, functions and restaurant promotions.
• Manage kitchen preparation and service during busy trading periods.
• Assist with recruiting, training and assessing kitchen employees.
• Liaise with suppliers and management regarding produce quality, availability and pricing.
• Ensure kitchen equipment is properly maintained and faults are promptly reported.

About you:

• At least three years of relevant commercial cookery experience.
• Relevant commercial cookery qualifications or equivalent professional experience.
• Demonstrated experience as a Head Chef, Senior Sous Chef or experienced Chef in a busy restaurant.
• Strong knowledge of Italian and Mediterranean cooking techniques.
• Experience with fresh pasta, sauces, meat, seafood and high-volume à la carte service.
• Proven ability to lead, train and organise a kitchen team.
• Strong food-costing, stock-control and waste-management skills.
• Sound knowledge of Australian food-safety and workplace-safety requirements.
• Ability to remain calm, organised and hands-on during busy services.
• Availability to work a rotating roster including evenings, weekends and public holidays.

What we offer:

• Guaranteed annual salary of $85,000 plus superannuation.
• Permanent full-time employment.
• A senior leadership position in an established Terrigal restaurant.
• The opportunity to contribute to menu development and kitchen operations.
• A supportive, professional and team-focused workplace.

To apply, please submit your current résumé and a cover letter explaining your relevant experience, qualifications and suitability for the position.

Only applicants with the experience and skills required for this role will be shortlisted.

Pay: $85,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person