Our client, Ace Hotel Wagga Pty Ltd, operates Romano's Hotel — one of Regional New South Wales' most iconic hospitality venues, proudly located in the heart of Wagga Wagga's Fitzmaurice Street precinct. Established in 1857 and locally operated with over 20 years of industry experience, Romano's has built its reputation on warmth, character and genuine hospitality. The venue encompasses a full-service restaurant, multiple function spaces accommodating up to 200 guests, premium accommodation including The Hampden Suites, and a vibrant bar programme — operating seven days a week across lunch, dinner, functions and events.

Ace Hotel Wagga Pty Ltd is seeking an experienced and driven Head Chef to lead kitchen operations at Romano's. This is a rare opportunity to shape the culinary identity of a well-established, high-volume venue. This full time position offers a competitive salary AUD 90K to 100K per annum, plus superannuation.

SCOPE OF THE ROLE:

- Creating and updating menus based on seasonal availability, customer preferences, and cost considerations, drawing on Romano's tradition of delivering pub classics alongside unexpected contemporary offerings that keep guests coming back.
- Overseeing all food preparation processes across the kitchen, ensuring consistency, quality, and strict adherence to food safety standards across all service periods.
- Managing end-to-end kitchen operations, including inventory management, stock control, and ordering supplies to maintain adequate levels while minimising waste.
- Recruiting, training, and supervising kitchen staff, including chefs, cooks, and kitchen assistants, to build a cohesive and high-performing team.
- Implementing and enforcing rigorous food safety and hygiene protocols to ensure compliance with health regulations and maintain a clean and safe working environment at all times.
- Monitoring food costs, labour costs, and other operational expenses to meet budgetary targets and maximise venue profitability.
- Collaborating with management, front-of-house staff, and suppliers to coordinate seamless operations, resolve challenges, and maintain Romano's reputation for exceptional guest experiences.
- Staying updated on relevant legislation, regulations, and industry standards relating to food safety, hygiene,



and employment practices.
- Driving a positive dining experience by consistently delivering delicious, well-presented meals and championing excellent customer service across all areas of the kitchen.

TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS ROLE, YOU SHOULD:

- Hold at least 7+ years of experience in a management capacity at the Head Chef level, with a demonstrated track record of leading high-performing kitchen teams.
- Be willing to relocate to Wagga Wagga if currently based interstate or in another city.
- Hold a relevant hospitality or culinary qualification — a Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery, Diploma in Hotel Management, or equivalent is preferred.
- Demonstrate expertise in contemporary Australian cuisine with the versatility to execute a broad menu range, from pub staples to premium event catering.
- Bring previous experience in high-volume hospitality environments including hotels, large venues, or function and event-based catering.
- Have a strong understanding of multi-outlet kitchen operations, function catering, and service delivery across diverse dining formats.
- Demonstrate a proven ability to perform in fast-paced, operationally demanding environments under pressure.
- Possess strong organisational skills and leadership capability, with the ability to motivate and develop a diverse kitchen team.
- Have full availability across evenings, weekends, public holidays, and the ability to work split shifts as required by the venue's operating hours.
- Must hold valid Australian work rights at the time of application.

WHAT YOU’LL GET IN RETURN:

- A competitive senior leadership salary of $90,000 per annum, plus superannuation, negotiated based on experience and commercial responsibility.
- The opportunity to shape the culinary direction of one of Regional NSW's most iconic and enduring hospitality venues,



with the creative and operational freedom to make a lasting impact.
- A fully resourced, high-volume kitchen environment backed by an experienced management team and the operational infrastructure of a venue with over 165 years of continuous hospitality tradition.
- A genuine sense of community and belonging — Romano's is locally run, deeply rooted in its region, and committed to the long-term development of its people and its culture.

HOW TO JOIN THE TEAM Please submit an online application to join our diverse, dedicated and community-focused team for a rewarding career at Romano's Hotel. Australian citizens and permanent residents are strongly encouraged to apply and will be given priority in accordance with labour market testing requirements and the objective of supporting the domestic workforce. Only successful applicants will be contacted.

Romano's Hotel (operated by Ace Hotel Wagga Pty Ltd) is committed to an Australian-first employment strategy and a recruitment process that is fair, transparent, and strictly merit-based. Applications are assessed solely on skills, qualifications, experience, and role suitability, without regard to personal background.

Only where genuine recruitment efforts confirm that no suitably qualified or experienced local candidates are available will individuals with valid work rights, or those eligible for employer sponsorship, be considered, strictly in line with the Migration Act 1958, Migration Regulations 1994, and current Department of Home Affairs policy. Employer sponsorship is approached as a measure of last resort, reflecting our commitment to workforce integrity, regulatory compliance, and the long-term development of local talent.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: $90,000.00 – $100,000.00 per year

Ability to commute/relocate

- Wagga Wagga NSW 2650: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Application Question(s):
- If you are a visa holder, provide a subclass and expiry date.
- Do you have a valid skills assessment related to the role? Please provide your skills assessment status.
- Do you have a valid PTE/IELTS? If yes, provide each band score.

Experience:
- kitchen: 2 years (Required)

Work Location: In person

📌 Head Chef [Ace Hotel Wagga Pty Ltd] (Wagga Wagga)
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