As Head Chef, you'll take ownership of the kitchen at WATTLE, a current neighbourhood wine bar and grill coming to Malvern. This is a genuine opportunity to shape the food, build your team and establish the kitchen culture from day one. WATTLE will be produce‑led, generous and considered without being overly complicated. The grill will be central to what we do, with a strong focus on charcoal cooking, live‑fire technique, premium produce and the flavour that comes from cooking over fire.

Key responsibilities

- Developing and evolving the WATTLE food offering
- Leading the kitchen team and setting the standard for food and service
- Creating a strong, positive kitchen culture
- Cooking and developing dishes with charcoal and live‑fire techniques
- Working closely with the General Manager and venue team to shape the overall guest experience
- Managing food costs, ordering, stock control and kitchen systems
- Recruiting, training and developing your team
- Maintaining exceptional standards of quality, consistency and presentation
- Ensuring the kitchen operates efficiently, commercially and safely
- Being hands‑on during service and leading from the front

About you





- Proven experience as a Head Chef or experienced Sous Chef ready to step up
- Genuine experience and passion for charcoal, open‑fire or live‑fire cooking
- A strong understanding of produce, seasonality and flavour
- The ability to create food that is exciting without being unnecessarily complicated
- Proven experience leading, mentoring and developing a kitchen team
- Strong commercial understanding of food costs, labour and kitchen operations
- Excellent organisation and attention to detail
- A calm, hands‑on approach to service
- High standards - without the ego

About us

WATTLE is a new neighbourhood wine bar and grill coming to Malvern;

GOOD WINE. GOOD FOOD. GOOD COMPANY.

We're creating a place that feels familiar from the moment you walk through the door - relaxed, warm and welcoming, but with a genuine focus on quality.

The food will be centred around great produce, charcoal and live‑fire cooking, complemented by a considered wine list and thoughtful, uncomplicated hospitality.

WATTLE is about becoming part of the neighbourhood - somewhere people come for dinner, stay for another drink, and return to time and time again.

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📌 Head Chef (Melbourne)
🏢 Wattle Wine Bar Grill
📍 Melbourne