We are an established Canberra hospitality group seeking an experienced Group Executive Head Chef to lead and support multiple kitchen teams across a diverse venue portfolio.
This is a hands‑on leadership role suited to someone who can move confidently between high‑volume casual dining, functions and events, and casual fine dining. The role requires strong operational discipline, creative menu development, commercial awareness, calm leadership, and the ability to build trust across multiple teams.
This is not a role for someone who wants to sit behind a keyboard. We are looking for a chef who is present in the kitchens, visible to the team, and willing to step in where needed.
About the role
The Group Executive Head Chef will work across multiple kitchens, supporting venue chefs and kitchen teams with day‑to‑day operations, menu development, kitchen systems, supplier relationships, rostering, training and culture.
You will be responsible for maintaining consistency, improving kitchen performance, mentoring staff, managing food and kitchen staff costs, and ensuring food quality is delivered across regular service, functions, events and seasonal dining offers.
This role will suit someone who is commercially sharp, highly organised, calm under pressure, and genuinely invested in developing people.
Key responsibilities
Lead, support and mentor kitchen teams across multiple venues
Oversee food quality, consistency, presentation and kitchen standards
Develop seasonal menus across casual dining, functions and elevated casual dining
Manage menu costing, COGS, stock control and wastage reduction
Build and maintain strong supplier relationships
Manage kitchen rostering in line with service needs, labour budgets and operational demands
Work with venue leadership to improve systems, workflow and service delivery
Support recruitment, onboarding, training and development of kitchen staff
Build a positive, respectful and accountable kitchen culture
Provide hands‑on support during busy periods, functions and key services
Identify problems quickly and implement practical solutions
Ensure compliance with food safety, WHS and hygiene standards
Work collaboratively with owners, managers and front‑of‑house teams
About you
You are an experienced senior chef who understands the pressure of kitchens. You can think on your feet, solve problems in real time, and remain calm when service is under pressure.
Has proven experience as an Executive Chef or senior multi‑site kitchen leader
Is comfortable working across functions, casual dining and refined casual food
Has strong menu development and costing experience
Understands COGS, labour, rostering, stock control, wastage and kitchen profitability
Can manage supplier relationships professionally and commercially
Can think quickly and solve problems without panic
Remains calm, composed and practical under pressure
Can mentor chefs and junior staff
Is prepared to be hands‑on and present with the team
Communicates well with both kitchen and front‑of‑house leaders
Takes ownership, follows through and is comfortable with accountability
Why this role
This is an prospect to take on a senior leadership position across a varied hospitality operation. You will have the ability to influence menus, suppliers, systems, team development, cost controls and the overall food direction across multiple venues.
For the right person, this is a role with real ownership, variety and impact.
All applications will be treated confidentially.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
📌 Group Executive Head Chef (Canberra)
🏢 @
📍 Canberra