Chef / Cook – Marsa, Cairns Esplanade

Marsa is a Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurant on the Cairns Esplanade, bringing the flavours of the Levant and the wider Mediterranean to the waterfront. Think generous share plates, mezze, fresh breads and proteins cooked over the grill, all from a fully halal kitchen. We open for dinner seven nights and lunch Friday to Sunday, cooking for locals, regulars and visitors through both peak and green season.

The role

We’re after a Chef / Cook to help our kitchen team and own a section during service. Reporting to the Head Chef, you’ll work alongside the front-of-house team to send out consistent, generous, well-seasoned food for lunch and dinner.

This suits someone who loves bold flavours, cooks with care under pressure, and keeps a tidy, well-run section.

What you’ll be doing

On the line

- Running your section through service, including the grill, with consistent quality and timing
- Cooking meats, seafood and vegetables accurately, with the right spice, char and finish
- Plating to spec so every dish looks and tastes the way it should
- Keeping communication clear with the pass and floor so service runs smoothly

Prep and kitchen operations

- Completing daily mise en place to par: marinades, dips, pickles, doughs and sauces
- Portioning and storing proteins correctly to protect quality and yield
- Contributing ideas for specials and menu development, and helping with recipe costing
- Supporting and training junior cooks and kitchen hands

Stock and cost control

- Rotating, labelling and dating all stock (FIFO)
- Assisting with ordering,



receiving and checking deliveries against spec
- Minimising waste and recording it accurately
- Helping with weekly stocktakes

Food safety and compliance

- Upholding food safety standards, temperature logs and cleaning schedules
- Following halal handling requirements and allergen procedures, and passing dietary needs on accurately
- Meeting WHS obligations and reporting hazards or incidents promptly
- Looking after equipment and flagging maintenance issues early

What we’re looking for

Essential

- Relevant vocational or tertiary qualifications (ideally)
- At least 1 year of relevant kitchen experience
- Confidence on a busy section in high-volume service
- Solid grill skills and a good palate for spice and seasoning
- Sound knowledge of food safety, hygiene and allergen management
- Availability for nights, weekends and public holidays

Desirable

- Food Safety Supervisor certification
- Experience with Mediterranean, Middle Eastern or Levantine cuisine
- Familiarity with halal kitchen practices
- Bread, pastry or butchery skills
- Functions and events experience

Why Marsa

- Be part of a new venue from the ground up, right on the Esplanade
- Cook a vibrant, produce-driven menu with real personality
- Work directly with the owner and have genuine input into the food

How to apply

Send your CV and a short note about your cooking background, including your grill experience and a dish you’re proud of, to [email protected].

Marsa is an equal prospect employer. Applicants must have the right to work in Australia.

Pay: From $80,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person

📌 Chef/Cook (Cairns)
🏢 Marsa Signature Kitchen
📍 Cairns