Head Chef – Lyric’s Bar & Underground, Maylands

We are seeking an accomplished, self-motivated and innovative Head Chef to take ownership of our kitchen, own and drive the direction of the menu, and lead and develop our kitchen team.

This is a genuine leadership opportunity for a Chef who wants to bring their own ideas, creativity and experience to the role. You will have the opportunity to develop an interesting and commercially successful menu, build a robust kitchen culture and play an important part in the continued growth of Lyric’s.

You will work as part of an experienced and energetic hospitality management team, collaborating closely with the Venue Manager, Marketing and Managing Director. You will also have the opportunity to assist in selecting and employing a senior chef to support you in the kitchen.

At Lyric’s, you will have the support of an experienced senior management team and a well-equipped commercial kitchen. We provide the facilities, systems and management support you would expect from a serious hospitality operation, while giving our Head Chef the autonomy to lead the kitchen and make the role their own.

About Lyric’s

Lyric’s Bar & Underground is an upmarket, medium-sized, family-owned bar, restaurant and live music venue located in the heart of Maylands, with a capacity of approximately 400 patrons.

We are a diverse and well-established local venue, hosting frequent events in the award-winning Lyric’s Underground and attracting patrons from across Perth and beyond.

Our restaurant offers a relaxed, upmarket menu with an emphasis on innovation, quality produce and consistency and is well regarded by both locals and visitors.

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for a Head Chef who can elevate our kitchen and food offering, increase its appeal and drive growth in food sales, while maintaining consistency, efficiency, cost control and a positive kitchen culture.

Above all, we want someone with the ambition and creativity to build something genuinely special at Lyric’s and design a food offering that develops its own identity and gives people another reason to seek us out.

You must have proven ability to design an interesting and commercially successful menu,



train and manage kitchen staff, and control labour and cost of sales against agreed KPIs.

You will take responsibility for kitchen standards and day-to-day operations, ensuring consistent food quality, effective staff management and an efficient, well-organised kitchen.

The position offers a high level of reasonable autonomy, balanced with accountability for the performance, standards and culture of the kitchen and a strong collaborative relationship with front of house and the wider management team.

For the right Chef, this is an opportunity to bring your ideas, energy and leadership to an established independent venue and make a genuine contribution to its continued growth.

Key Responsibilities

You will be responsible for:

- Managing the day-to-day operation and performance of the kitchen

- Designing and developing seasonal menus, specials and new food offerings

- Maintaining consistently high standards of food quality and presentation

- Setting appropriate staffing levels and managing labour costs against agreed KPIs

- Sourcing quality produce while effectively controlling food costs and wastage

- Training, supervising and developing kitchen staff

- Maintaining food safety, cleanliness and compliance standards

- Working collaboratively with front of house and management

- Helping drive food sales and improve the overall customer experience

- Maintaining a strong work-life balance for yourself and your team

- Supporting the qualified wellbeing and development of your team through training and skills development

The Kitchen The kitchen normally operates with three chefs, including the Head Chef, plus a kitchen hand during busy periods.

The current team includes a quality fulltime third-year apprentice,



providing the incoming Head Chef with an opportunity to build the kitchen team.

Employment Conditions

Salary will be negotiable based on experience and capability and subject to performance.

Our current trading hours are deliberately structured to provide permanent staff with an excellent work-life balance:

- Closed Mondays, Tuesdays and public holidays

- Wednesday and Thursday: from 4 pm

- Friday to Sunday: from 12 noon

Unlike many senior hospitality roles, our trading structure provides the opportunity for genuine regular time away from the kitchen.

Applicant Requirements

Applicants should have

- Current Senior First Aid Certificate

- Food Safety Supervisor certification
- A minimum of four years’ experience in a relevant senior kitchen role

- At least two years’ experience in kitchen management

- Demonstrated menu development and food costing skills

- Proven ability to manage labour and cost-of-sales KPIs

- Strong staff training and supervisory skills
- A hands-on approach and the ability to multitask efficiently

- Strong organisational and communication skills
- A genuine interest in developing both the food offering and the people working within the kitchen

Applicants with a robust background as a Sous Chef who are ready to take the next step into kitchen leadership may also be considered. However, only exceptional candidates will be assessed through this pathway.

How to Apply To learn more about Lyric’s Bar & Underground, visit our website and Facebook page:

Website: www.lyriclane.com.au

Facebook: facebook.com/lyriclanemaylands

You are also welcome to visit the venue during service and introduce yourself to our management team.

Please submit your CV including your work history and at least three independent and recent referees with current contact numbers. Referees must be available and willing to provide a verbal reference.

If you are an experienced Chef looking for the opportunity to take genuine ownership of a kitchen, develop your own food direction and become an important part of an established independent venue, we would like to hear from you.

Thank you for considering a leadership role with Lyric’s Bar & Underground.

📌 Head Chef / Manager (Maylands)
🏢 Lyric Lane
📍 Maylands