Job Description
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Bring your American BBQ experience to a busy, community-focused venue with a serious events calendar.
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Springlake Hotel is looking for an experienced Head Chef to lead our kitchen team and take ownership of the food offering across a busy bistro, smokehouse and function operation.
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This is a great opportunity for a chef with a strong background in American BBQ, smokehouse-style cooking and high-volume pub kitchens, combined with proven experience delivering functions, events and large-scale catering.
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Our smokehouse offering features slow-cooked brisket, sausages and ribs prepared in our on-site smoker, alongside a strong range of pub classics and daily specials.
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With multiple function spaces and the ability to host events of up to 400 guests, functions are a key part of the operation. From weddings and corporate events through to celebrations and BBQ buffets, we need a Head Chef who understands how to execute consistently at volume.
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What you'll be doing
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Lead and develop a passionate kitchen team
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Take ownership of kitchen operations, food quality and presentation
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Drive the smokehouse and BBQ offering, bringing your own ideas and expertise
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Manage high-volume service across the bistro and functions
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Plan and execute menus for weddings, corporate functions, celebrations and large events
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Work closely with the Venue Manager and wider leadership team
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Manage food costs, labour, ordering, stock control and wastage
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Maintain strong food safety, hygiene and kitchen standards
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Develop and coach your team to build a strong kitchen culture
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Ensure consistency across every service, regardless of volume
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Bring creativity and commercial thinking to the ongoing development of the menu
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What we're looking for
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We're looking for a hands-on and commercially minded Head Chef who knows how to lead from the front.
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You'll ideally have:
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Proven experience as a Head Chef or strong Sous Chef ready for the next step
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A background in American BBQ, smokehouse or meat-focused venues
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Strong knowledge of smoking, low-and-slow cooking and BBQ techniques
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Experience working in high-volume pubs, restaurants or similar environments
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Strong functions and events experience, including large-scale service
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Excellent leadership and communication skills
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A strong understanding of food costs, labour and kitchen financials
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The ability to remain calm and organised during busy services
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A genuine passion for food and developing a high-performing team
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Why Springlake Hotel?
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Competitive salary + annual bonus of up to $20K paid quarterly
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Lead the kitchen of a well-established local venue
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Make your mark on a strong smokehouse and American BBQ offering
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Work across a diverse operation spanning bistro, sports bar and functions
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Opportunity to showcase your skills across large-scale events and functions
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Join a venue with multiple function spaces and capacity for significant events
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Be part of a supportive venue leadership team
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Opportunity to develop and grow the kitchen operation
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If you're a Head Chef who loves BBQ, thrives in a busy setting and knows how to deliver exceptional food at volume, we'd love to hear from you.
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Apply now and bring your expertise to Springlake Hotel.
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📌 Head Chef | Springlake Hotel (Queensland)
🏢 Australian Venue
📍 Queensland