Position description
Apply now
Position:
Head Chef – Oculus Café x Kitchen by
Mike
Location: National Gallery of Australia,
Canberra
Trippas White Group is one of Australia's
premier hospitality companies, managing over 140 venues nationwide, including
iconic restaurants, cafés, event spaces, and hospitality services for
prestigious organisations.
Our commitment to quality, innovation, and
excellence makes us a leader in the industry.
An exciting new chapter is about to begin at
the National Gallery of Australia.
Trippas White Group is proud to launch
Oculus Café x Kitchen by Mike – a unique collaboration between the National
Gallery of Australia, acclaimed Australian chef Mike McEnearney, and Trippas
White Group.
Operated on behalf of Kitchen by Mike, this new venue brings
together the Gallery's creativity and cultural significance, Mike's celebrated
produce-led food philosophy, and Trippas White Group's renowned hospitality
expertise.
Own
It Like It's Yours – Lead the Opening Kitchen at Oculus Café x Kitchen by Mike
We're looking for a Head Chef who wants more
than a job – someone ready to take full ownership of a brand-new site from day
one and build it as if it were their own.
Reporting to the Executive Chef –
Retail Canberra, you'll be the driving force behind day-to-day kitchen
operations, bringing Mike McEnearney's produce-led philosophy to life for
Gallery visitors while also owning the venue's events offering – from intimate
functions to large-scale Gallery occasions – with the leadership skills to
plan, staff, and deliver every one of them flawlessly.
Key
Responsibilities
Take
full ownership of culinary operations at Oculus Café x Kitchen by Mike, driving
standards, consistency and quality across every service.




Partner
with Trippas White Group's senior culinary leadership and the Kitchen by Mike
team to bring Mike McEnearney's produce-led food philosophy to life on the café
menu.
Own
the planning and delivery of Gallery events and functions – from menu design
through to staffing, service and on-the-day execution – ensuring every occasion
reflects the quality of the brand.
Recruit,
roster and manage kitchen and event staff, fostering a positive, collaborative
culture of learning, accountability and genuine hospitality.
Lead,
mentor and develop a high-performing team, building a real pipeline of talent
and succession within the venue.
Maintain
rigorous food safety, HACCP and WH&S; compliance across daily service and
event operations.
Manage
budgets, food and labour costs, and procurement to protect profitability
without compromising on quality.
Conduct
regular site audits and use guest feedback to drive continuous improvement in
food, service and presentation.
What
We're Looking For
Proven
experience as a Head Chef, or a strong Sous Chef ready to step up, ideally
within a high-profile, multi-faceted hospitality or cultural venue.
A
genuine passion for produce-driven cooking and the confidence to bring a
respected chef's philosophy to life with authenticity.
Hands-on
experience planning and running events or functions, with the leadership skills




to manage staff under pressure.
Strong
people leadership – someone who builds, trains and retains great teams.
Financial
acumen across budgeting, cost control and P&L; management.
Solid
understanding of food safety, compliance and WH&S; standards.
An
entrepreneurial mindset – someone who wants to build something and takes
genuine pride of ownership in a new venue.
Why
Join Us?
This is a rare opportunity to be part of a
new venue from day one – working with Mike McEnearney's concept and Trippas
White Group's experienced culinary leaders to bring a produce-driven menu, and
a produce-driven events program, to life for Gallery visitors and guests.
Perks include:
Genuine
autonomy and ownership of your own site from opening day
The
chance to work alongside acclaimed chef Mike McEnearney's Kitchen by Mike
concept, backed by Trippas White Group's national platform
Comprehensive
induction program to set you up for success
Ongoing
professional development and career progression opportunities
Weekly
remuneration and a competitive salary package
Employee
Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health and well-being support
Dining
discounts and perks across our network of venues
Career
progression across Trippas White Group's national network of 150+ venues
Next
Steps
If you're an experienced Head Chef ready to
own a landmark new Canberra venue and lead its opening kitchen team, we want to
hear from you!
Apply
now – successful candidates will be contacted within 7 days.
Trippas White Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages Indigenous and First Nations Australians to apply.
Position description
Apply now

📌 Head Chef | National Gallery Of Australia (Canberra)
🏢 Trippas White Group
📍 Canberra