UTAS Stadium & Silverdome, Launceston TAS

Gema Group is a family-owned Australian hospitality and catering business, established in 1984 and still driven by the same passion for food and service that got us started. Over four decades we’ve grown into a team operating across 18 venues in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and now, Tasmania!

We’re also proud to be the caterer of choice for major event clients including the Australian Open, Formula One Grand Prix, and Supercars Championship.

We’re looking for a Head Chef to lead the kitchen across two of Launceston’s most iconic venues: UTAS Stadium and the Silverdome.

About the Venues

UTAS Stadium sits within the Inveresk and York Park Precinct. It is the Tasmanian home of the Hawthorn Football Club and the Northern Bombers, the northern home of the Hobart Hurricanes, and host to a broad range of sporting and entertainment events. From 2028 it will also become the northern home ground for the Tasmania Devils as they enter the AFL and AFLW competitions, which makes this an exciting time to join the venue.

The Silverdome is a multipurpose venue with capacity for up to 5,000 guests, set in the tranquil bushland of Kate Reid Reserve. It is the northern home of the Tasmania JackJumpers and the Tasmanian Institute of Sport, and it has the southern hemisphere’s first indoor velodrome. It hosts everything from concerts and exhibitions to conferences, meetings and training events.

About the Role

Reporting to the Northern Venues - Venue Manager, you’ll be the creative and strategic leader of our culinary operation across both venues.



This senior role spans everything from AFL game days and JackJumpers fixtures to conferences, functions and premium hospitality. You’ll bring a clear culinary vision to life, building menus that celebrate quality and seasonality while keeping a sharp eye on cost and profitability.

Just as importantly, you’ll set the tone in the kitchen, leading by example and growing a team that takes real pride in delivering exceptional dining experiences at every service.

Key Responsibilities

- Design, engineer, cost and implement creative, high-quality menus that reflect market trends, seasonality and client expectations

- Lead all food preparation, cooking and presentation, making sure every dish meets the highest standard

- Keep innovating and refining the offering to enhance the guest experience and drive revenue

- Develop and manage the kitchen budget, controlling food, labour and operational costs

- Implement strong inventory, stock control and ordering systems that minimise waste and maximise profitability

- Analyse financial reports to identify cost savings and operational improvements

- Manage all aspects of kitchen staffing, including recruitment, onboarding, training, rostering and performance management

- Mentor and develop your team, building explicit pathways for career progression within Gema Group.





- Build a positive, collaborative and high-performing kitchen culture

- Keep every service consistent, high-quality and running smoothly, and resolve challenges quickly as they arise

- Uphold the highest standards of cleanliness, hygiene and allergen management, in line with Gema’s food safety program and all legislative requirements

- Champion Gema’s Quality, Safety and Environment policies under our Integrated Management System (IMS), including audits and continuous improvement initiatives

About You

- Proven experience as a Head Chef or Executive Sous Chef in a high-volume, quality-focused venue or catering setting

- Demonstrated success in menu engineering, creative development and costing for profitability

- Strong financial acumen, with hands-on experience managing kitchen budgets, P&L; statements and cost-control measures

- Exceptional leadership skills and a track record of recruiting, developing and retaining a talented kitchen brigade

- In-depth knowledge of food safety regulations, allergen management and industry best practice
- A creative passion for food combined with a strategic, business-minded approach

- Flexibility to work across event schedules, including nights, weekends and public holidays

Why Gema?

Tasmania’s sporting future is growing fast, and with the Devils arriving in 2028, there’s never been a better time to make your mark in Launceston. Join a genuinely family-owned business with four decades of experience behind it, and help shape the food offering at two venues on the rise

📌 Head Chef | Launceston
🏢 Gema Group
📍 Launceston