Full-Time Position | Competitive Salary | Sponsorship Available

Be part of something from the very beginning!

A brand-new restaurant and pub is opening in Ballarat, Victoria, and we're looking for an experienced, passionate and motivated Head Chef to lead our kitchen and help bring our vision to life.

This is an exciting opportunity for a chef who wants more than just another kitchen job. As part of a new venue, you'll have the opportunity to help establish the kitchen from the ground up, develop an exciting menu and put your own creative stamp on the food we serve.

Position Details

- Position: Head Chef
- Employer: The Highlander, Ballarat
- Location: Ballarat, Victoria
- Employment Type: Full-time (38 hours per week, plus reasonable additional hours as required)
- Salary: $78,000 + superannuation & benefits
- Sponsorship: Available for suitably qualified applicants

About the Role

As Head Chef, you'll play a key leadership role in establishing and shaping our new venue. Working closely with the owners, you'll have genuine creative input into menu development and the opportunity to help build and lead your own kitchen team.

You'll be responsible for overseeing day-to-day kitchen operations, maintaining high food quality and safety standards, and ensuring the kitchen runs efficiently and professionally.

Your responsibilities will include:

- Leading, managing and developing the kitchen team
- Designing and developing high-quality menus in consultation with the owners
- Overseeing food preparation, cooking, presentation and quality control




- Managing day-to-day kitchen operations and coordinating busy service periods
- Ordering supplies, monitoring stock levels and managing food costs
- Preparing staff rosters and assisting with recruitment and training
- Maintaining food safety, hygiene and workplace health and safety standards
- Ensuring consistency, efficiency and quality across every service
- Working collaboratively with owners and management to establish the venue's food offering
- Creating a positive, professional and supportive kitchen environment

About You

We're looking for an experienced chef who is passionate about excellent food, confident in leading a team and excited by the opportunity to help establish a new kitchen.

To be successful in this role, you'll need:

- Minimum two-years' experience as a Head Chef or in a comparable senior kitchen position
- Relevant commercial cookery qualifications or equivalent professional experience
- Demonstrated experience managing kitchen operations and supervising staff
- Strong knowledge of food preparation, cooking techniques and menu development
- Experience with food costing, stock control and supplier management
- Sound understanding of Australian food safety and hygiene standards
- Excellent organisational,



communication and time-management skills
- The ability to work effectively under pressure and manage busy service periods
- A hands-on leadership style, positive attitude and passion for quality food

Why Join Us?

- Brand-new venue – help establish the kitchen and food offering from the ground up
- Creative freedom – bring your ideas to life and contribute to menu development
- Leadership opportunity – build, train and lead your own kitchen team
- Supportive ownership – work directly with the owners to shape the venue's direction
- Competitive remuneration – salary reflective of experience and responsibilities
- Sponsorship opportunities – employer sponsorship available for suitable candidates
- Great location – work in the growing hospitality scene of Ballarat, Victoria

This is your opportunity to take on a key leadership role and be part of something exciting from day one.

If you're an experienced chef with ambition, creativity and a passion for great food, we'd love to hear from you!

To apply or enquire, please email: [email protected]

Please include your resume and details of your relevant qualifications and professional experience.

Pay: $78,000.00 – $80,000.00 per year

Ability to commute/relocate:

- Ballarat VIC 3350: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Application Question(s):

- How many years' experience do you have as Head Chef?

Work Authorisation:

- Australia (Preferred)

Location:

- Ballarat VIC 3350 (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

📌 Head Chef (Lucas)
🏢 The Highlander
📍 Lucas