About the role
As Head Chef at Wharf One Food & Wine, you will take ownership of the kitchen and its performance.
You'll lead an experienced core kitchen team, drive food quality and consistency, and oversee busy à la carte operations alongside an extensive functions and events business.
You'll have the freedom to bring ideas to the table, challenge how things are done, identify opportunities and work collaboratively with management and the culinary leadership team.
This is an opportunity to evolve the food offering, respond to emerging trends, improve kitchen systems, develop the team and deliver a consistently great customer experience.
You'll have continuity and senior culinary support from the current Head Chef while establishing your own leadership style.
Key responsibilities
Lead, mentor and develop the kitchen team
Drive food quality, consistency and efficient service
Oversee busy à la carte operations
Lead culinary delivery across extensive functions and events business
Bring fresh thinking and respond to changing customer and industry trends
Develop and improve kitchen systems and efficiencies
Manage food costs, labour, rostering, ordering, stock and suppliers
Recruit, train and develop future kitchen leaders
Maintain excellent food safety, WHS and compliance standards
Work collaboratively with venue management, ownership and broader culinary leadership team
About you
Proven Head Chef experience in a busy Australian restaurant environment
Strong leadership and people-development skills
High-volume à la carte experience




Functions and events experience
Robust food and labour cost management
Commercial awareness and sound kitchen administration
Excellent communication and organisational skills
Commercial Cookery qualifications
Positive, professional and solutions-driven approach
Genuine interest in food trends, changing customer expectations and continuous improvement
About us
Wharf One Food & Wine is an established Darwin Waterfront restaurant known for great food, genuine service and memorable hospitality.
We're busy, energetic and approachable — delivering quality without the pretension.
Alongside our restaurant trade, functions and events are a major part of what we do.
Weddings, corporate events, celebrations and large groups bring variety, volume and energy to the kitchen throughout the year.
We have a loyal customer following, an experienced team and a strong business.
We're part of a growing multi-venue hospitality group continuing to develop new concepts and invest in our people.
Benefits
Established, experienced kitchen team already in place
Well-known Darwin Waterfront restaurant with strong reputation for food and service
Genuine prospect to bring ideas and influence future direction of the venue
Significant weddings, corporate functions, celebrations and events business
Busy and varied à la carte operation
Flexible, structured working hours with no late-night trading
Supportive management and ownership
Growing multi-venue hospitality group
Genuine career development and future opportunities

📌 Head Chef (Darwin)
🏢 Wharf One Food and Wine
📍 Darwin