Banter Coffee House, located in the heart of Manly West, QLD, is more than just a café, it’s a vibrant and welcoming community hub that celebrates quality coffee, seasonal food, and warm hospitality. Known for our elevated breakfast and lunch offerings, Banter blends casual dining with premium café culture. Our menu is thoughtfully curated with house-made dishes, locally sourced produce, and a strong focus on freshness and presentation.

We are currently seeking an experienced and creative Chef to lead our kitchen on a full-time basis. This is an exciting opportunity for a hands-on culinary leader who enjoys working in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment and takes pride in overseeing every stage from menu planning right through to service.

Job Advertisement: Full-Time Chef – Banter Coffee House, Manly West, QLD

Key Responsibilities

- Prepare and cook the full breakfast and lunch range at Banter, including house-made baked goods, gourmet toasts, egg-based dishes, salads, burgers, and daily specials.
- Monitor the quality of every dish from the earliest stage of preparation through to final plating, so that flavour and presentation remain consistent across each service.
- Plan and refresh seasonal menus that showcase locally sourced produce and reflect Banter’s premium yet casual café style.
- Estimate food and labour costs for each dish and for the week ahead, adjusting portioning and rostering to keep the kitchen within agreed margins.
- Order food supplies from our suppliers and manage stock levels so that produce arrives fresh and wastage is kept to a minimum.




- Demonstrate preparation and cooking techniques to kitchen staff and advise on methods, timings, and plating procedures for both new and established dishes.
- Select new kitchen team members alongside the owners and deliver hands-on training so that every Cook and kitchen hand works to the same standard.
- Discuss food preparation issues with the Café Manager, kitchen and waiting staff, and dietitians where required, resolving service concerns and accommodating allergies, intolerances, and other special dietary requirements.
- Explain hygiene regulations to all kitchen staff and enforce compliance with Queensland food handling requirements at every stage of preparation, storage, and service.
- Freeze and preserve house-made stocks, sauces, pickles, and prepared components, storing them correctly to extend shelf life without any loss of quality.
- Inspect incoming deliveries for quality and freshness, rejecting any stock that falls short of Banter’s standards.
- Monitor and adjust kitchen equipment such as grills, ovens, and fryers to maintain correct operating temperatures throughout the day.




- Coordinate kitchen workflow during peak breakfast and lunch trade so that ticket times stay consistent even at our busiest.
- Maintain kitchen records covering temperature checks, cleaning schedules, and supplier invoices.
- Work closely with the front-of-house team to keep service running smoothly and to gather customer feedback that informs future menu changes.

Position Details

- Employment Type: Full-Time (38 hours per week)
- Salary: $75,000 – $85,000 plus superannuation per annum
- Qualification Required: AQF Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma or Diploma in Culinary or a closely related field
- Experience Required: Minimum 1 year in a similar role

Personal Attributes

- Confident leader, able to direct and motivate a small kitchen team through busy service.
- Passionate about modern café cuisine with a creative approach to seasonal menu development.
- Commercially minded, with a firm grasp of portion control, costing, and waste reduction.
- Calm and decisive under pressure in a high-volume environment.
- Exceptional attention to detail, especially in food presentation.
- Solid communication skills across both the kitchen and the front-of-house team.
- Reliable, punctual, and committed to excellence.
- Organised, clean, and efficient in all kitchen duties.

How to Apply

If you’re ready to lead the kitchen at a thriving café that values creativity, consistency, and community, we’d love to hear from you. Please apply with your updated resume and a brief cover letter outlining your experience and interest in the role.

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