About the role

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Head Chef to lead the kitchen at Bill’s Bar & Grill (Hibiscus Tavern) in Darwin, NT. Bill’s Bar & Grill has built a strong reputation for its hand-cut steaks and quality pub dining, with steak at the heart of our food offering. We are looking for a Head Chef who understands great produce, knows their way around the grill and can consistently deliver exceptional steaks alongside a fresh and innovative contemporary menu.

This is a full-time, hands-on leadership role with responsibility for the day-to-day operation and performance of the kitchen. You will lead and develop the kitchen team, maintain high standards of food quality and presentation, manage costs and wages, and continue to evolve our menu to keep it fresh, innovative and relevant.

Key responsibilities

- Lead, supervise and mentor the kitchen team, creating a professional, efficient and positive working environment
- Maintain Bill’s reputation for quality hand-cut steaks, ensuring exceptional preparation, cooking, consistency and presentation
- Plan, develop and execute innovative menus that showcase seasonal ingredients and contemporary culinary trends, keeping our food offering fresh, relevant and exciting
- Oversee all food preparation, cooking and plating to ensure consistency and quality
- Manage kitchen inventory, ordering, costs and wages to meet predefined targets while maintaining quality and profitability
- Maintain high standards of food safety, hygiene and workplace compliance
- Monitor portion control, food waste and kitchen efficiencies
- Train and develop kitchen staff in preparation, cooking,



presentation and food handling standards
- Work closely with the front-of-house team to ensure smooth service and a great customer experience
- Ensure kitchen equipment is maintained in good working order and coordinate maintenance where required

What we're looking for

- Minimum 7+ years’ professional cooking experience in a busy commercial kitchen
- Proven experience as a Head Chef, Sous Chef or senior kitchen leader
- Strong grill and steak experience is essential
- Excellent understanding of steak cuts, preparation, cooking techniques, consistency and presentation
- Demonstrated ability to develop menus and introduce new dishes while balancing creativity, customer demand and commercial performance
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to train, motivate and develop a kitchen team
- Sound understanding of food costs, labour costs, stock control and kitchen profitability
- Comprehensive knowledge of food safety and hygiene requirements
- Strong organisational and time-management skills with the ability to perform under pressure
- A practical, hands-on approach and willingness to lead from the front
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills
- Flexibility to work evenings, weekends and public holidays as required
- A genuine passion for quality food, innovation,



consistency and continuous improvement

What we offer

At Bill’s Bar & Grill, we value good people, high standards and a strong team culture. We offer a generous salary package of $110k+, commensurate with experience and qualifications, together with the opportunity to take ownership of an established kitchen and contribute to the continued growth of the business.

You’ll have the opportunity to put your stamp on the menu, introduce new ideas, develop your team and work in an environment where quality food — particularly a great steak — matters.

About us

Bill’s Bar & Grill, located at the Hibiscus Tavern in Darwin’s northern suburbs, is an established hospitality venue focused on delivering quality food, great service and genuine hospitality. We are famous for our steaks. Our steaks are hand-cut in-house, giving us greater control over quality, portioning and presentation. From selecting quality cuts and careful preparation through to getting the cook exactly right, we take steak seriously.

Alongside our steaks, we offer a contemporary pub-style menu that continues to evolve with recent ideas, seasonal ingredients and changing dining trends. Our goal is simple: serve great food in a welcoming environment and give our customers a reason to keep coming back.

Apply now

If you are an experienced Head Chef with robust steak and grill expertise, a flair for menu development and the drive to lead a busy kitchen, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your CV, references and cover letter detailing your relevant experience to [email protected].

📌 Head Chef (Darwin)
🏢 Hibiscus Tavern
📍 Darwin