An established neighbourhood restaurant, Il Forno is a tribute to Italian culture and history, bringing together seasonal Australian and Italian produce, thoughtful cooking and warm, genuine hospitality.

Our pizzas are made with a high-hydration, house-made dough fermented for 96–120 hours and cooked in a Moretti stone oven. As we continue to grow and evolve Il Forno, we're looking for an experienced pizzaiolo who takes pride in their craft and wants to become a long-term part of the restaurant.

The Role You’ll take responsibility for the day-to-day operation of our pizza section, from dough preparation and fermentation through to service.

Our dedicated pizza station sits at the front of the restaurant and is visible to guests as they arrive, making the pizzaiolo an important part of the Il Forno experience as well as our kitchen team.

Your responsibilities will include:

Preparing and managing our house-made, high-hydration pizza dough

Managing the 96–120 hour fermentation process

Portioning, shaping and stretching dough

Preparing and maintaining ingredients and mise en place for the pizza section

Topping, firing and finishing pizzas throughout service

Working confidently with our Moretti stone oven

Maintaining consistency, quality and presentation across approximately 40–80 pizzas per service

Managing the organisation, cleanliness and readiness of the pizza section

Monitoring stock and communicating requirements with the Head Chef and wider kitchen

Working closely with an additional pizza hand during busy Friday and Saturday services

Contributing ideas and input into the future development of our pizza offering

You’ll work closely with our Head Chef and kitchen team, while having a high degree of independence and ownership over the pizza section.





About You We’re looking for someone who is:

Experienced specifically in pizza preparation and service

Confident managing dough production and long fermentation processes

Experienced working with high-hydration dough

Comfortable independently managing a pizza section during service

Confident working at volume while maintaining consistency and quality

Reliable, organised and calm under pressure

Particular about the quality and consistency of their work

Comfortable working in an open, guest-facing section of the restaurant

Passionate about Italian food, quality produce and the craft of pizza making

Interested in becoming a long-term member of a small restaurant team

Formal cookery qualifications are beneficial but not essential. Demonstrated pizza experience, technical ability and an understanding of dough are more important to us.

What We Offer

Full-time position with a secure Wednesday–Sunday roster

Monday and Tuesday off each week

Predominantly afternoon and evening hours

Early finishes by hospitality standards, generally around 9:30pm

$75,000–$85,000 + super, depending on experience

Staff meals

Ownership of a dedicated pizza section

Additional support during busy Friday and Saturday services

Small, close-knit kitchen and restaurant team

Opportunity for creative input as our pizza menu continues to develop

Opportunity to grow with the restaurant and take on greater responsibility over time

Established restaurant with an exciting next chapter ahead

Hampton location, only a few minutes' walk from Hampton Station

We are looking for someone to join us as soon as possible, but finding the right person for the role and our team is important to us.

Applicants must be available to work Wednesday through Sunday. Sponsorship may be considered for the right candidate.

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📌 Pizza Chef / Pizzaiolo (Port Phillip City)
🏢 Il Forno Hampton
📍 Port Phillip City