HEAD CHEF | LAKE EILDON HOTEL

Full-Time | $78,000–$85,000 + Super | Lake Eildon, Victoria

What if your next kitchen came with a lake view?

Lake Eildon Hotel is looking for a passionate, experienced Head Chef with the creativity, leadership and drive to help take our lakeside pub's food offering to the next level.

We're looking for someone who loves what they do, takes pride in the food they put on the plate and wants the prospect to make a kitchen their own.

WHO WE ARE

Set on the banks of beautiful Lake Eildon, we're a modern country pub that's warm, relaxed and a little bit special without being fancy.

We're passionate about great food, genuine hospitality and creating a place where locals and lake-goers can come together. Inspired by the landscape and lifestyle around us, Lake Eildon Hotel is all about sharing the magic of Lake Eildon through good food, good people and good times.

Our food is an important part of that experience. We believe in quality ingredients, fresh seasonal produce, elevated pub classics, authentic pizzas and a few unexpected dishes that give people something to talk about.

We're proud of what we're building and looking for the right chef to become a key part of what we're creating.

ABOUT YOU

You're a passionate chef who genuinely loves food, takes pride in your craft and enjoys creating dishes that people want to come back for.

You love to cook. You're happiest in the kitchen, working with fresh ingredients, creating great flavours and putting up food you're proud to serve.

You thrive on a busy service. You're organised, stay calm under pressure and know how to keep a kitchen running smoothly when the orders are coming in.

You know how to lead. You set the standard, communicate clearly and create a positive kitchen environment where everyone works together and takes pride in what they do.

You take ownership. You treat the kitchen like it's your own, from food quality and presentation to ordering, stock control, food costs and the little details that make a difference.

You bring ideas. You enjoy developing menus, working with seasonal ingredients and finding ways to keep the food offering fresh, interesting and relevant to our customers.

You understand the balance. You know great food isn't about being fancy or overcomplicated. It's about flavour, quality, consistency and delivering something people genuinely enjoy.

Most importantly, we're looking for someone who wants to be part of what we're creating, not simply run a kitchen.

THE ROLE

As Head Chef, you'll take ownership of our kitchen, leading the team and shaping the food experience at Lake Eildon Hotel.

This is a hands-on leadership position, combining a genuine passion for cooking with the practical skills to manage a busy commercial kitchen.

Your key responsibilities will include:

Food Preparation, Cooking & Presentation

- Prepare, cook and present quality meals to consistently high standards, using appropriate cooking temperatures, equipment and techniques.
- Prepare ingredients, spices and seasonings, applying cooking methods including frying, grilling, steaming, stir-frying, boiling and other techniques appropriate to each dish.
- Develop fresh, innovative dishes and salads using seasonal produce and quality ingredients.




- Determine food presentation standards, ensuring dishes are visually appealing, consistent and served to specification.
- Maintain portion control, quality and consistency throughout service.

Menu Development & Creativity

- Develop and evolve our menu, balancing much-loved pub favourites with fresh, creative ideas.
- Collaborate with owners and other team members to plan and develop recipes and menus, considering seasonal availability, customer preferences and anticipated customer numbers.
- Contribute ideas for specials, functions and seasonal menu changes.
- Balance creativity and quality with practical food preparation, efficient service and profitability.

Kitchen Leadership & Operations

- Lead and oversee daily kitchen operations, ensuring an organised, efficient and positive working environment.
- Instruct, train and support cooks and kitchen staff in food preparation, cooking, garnishing and presentation.
- Coordinate kitchen rosters, preparation schedules and service requirements.
- Work closely with our Front of House team to deliver a great overall dining experience.
- Identify and report operational, equipment or staffing issues to management and work collaboratively to resolve them.

Stock Control, Ordering & Cost Management

- Inspect and date incoming deliveries, including vegetables, fruit, meat and other ingredients, before storing them appropriately in refrigerators or freezers.
- Ensure stock is correctly labelled, dated and rotated in accordance with first-in, first-out (FIFO) procedures, regularly checking freshness and quality.
- Prepare purchasing orders, monitor kitchen supplies and maintain appropriate records of ingredients, utensils and equipment.
- Estimate required quantities and costs of food, ingredients and other supplies.
- Manage food costs, portion control, stock levels and waste to maintain kitchen profitability.

Food Safety & Kitchen Standards

- Inspect kitchen supplies, equipment and work areas to ensure compliance with established standards.
- Maintain high standards of food safety, hygiene, cleanliness and kitchen organisation.
- Follow and enforce safe food handling, storage, preparation and cooking procedures.
- Ensure the kitchen operates in accordance with relevant food safety requirements and workplace procedures.

You'll have the opportunity to bring your own style and ideas to the kitchen, with the support of owners who are genuinely invested in making the venue something special.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

To be considered for this role, we're looking for candidates who have:

- Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery and Diploma of Hospitality Management, or equivalent qualifications.
- A minimum of one year's experience working in a fast-paced commercial kitchen, with demonstrated skills and experience appropriate to a Head Chef position.




- Strong practical cooking skills and knowledge of commercial kitchen equipment, food preparation techniques and presentation.
- Experience in menu planning, recipe development, stock management and food costing.
- The ability to lead, train and supervise kitchen staff while maintaining a positive team environment.
- Experience catering for special events, functions and varying service demands.
- A sound understanding of food safety, hygiene requirements and safe kitchen procedures.
- Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to work effectively under pressure.
- Food Safety Supervisor Certification (preferred).

Previous experience as a Head Chef or Sous Chef in a busy pub, restaurant or similar hospitality venue will be highly regarded.

WHAT WE OFFER

- Competitive salary of $78,000–$85,000 per annum, excluding superannuation, based on qualifications, skills and experience.
- Full time employment, 38 hours per week.
- The opportunity to take ownership of the kitchen and influence the direction of our food offering.
- Creative freedom to develop menus, seasonal specials and new ideas.
- Supportive, hands-on owners who are passionate about the venue and its future.
- Opportunities for professional development and career progression as the business grows.
- A welcoming team environment in a beautiful lakeside location.
- Staff accommodation options may be available for candidates relocating to the area.

WHY THE LAKE?

Lake Eildon is more than a beautiful place to visit. It's a place to live, work and enjoy the outdoors, offering a different pace of life and a genuine sense of work-life balance.

Surrounded by Lake Eildon and the Victorian High Country, you'll have boating, fishing, hiking, mountain biking and the outdoors on your doorstep.

Summer is when Eildon comes alive — the lake is busy, the town is buzzing and the pub has a fantastic atmosphere. When things quieten down, you get to enjoy a completely different pace of life.

SOUND LIKE YOU?

You might already be leading a kitchen in a busy pub or restaurant, be an experienced Sous Chef ready to take the next step, or simply be looking for a current challenge and the opportunity to make your mark somewhere special.

If you've got a genuine passion for food, the experience to lead a kitchen and the drive to help build something great, we'd love to hear from you!

Thinking of making the move to Eildon? Staff accommodation options may be available, and we're also happy to help the right candidate explore suitable local accommodation if relocating to the area.

Apply now with your resume and tell us a little about yourself, your cooking experience, the food you love creating and why Lake Eildon Hotel sounds like your kind of next move.

Come work at the lake. Life's better here.

EMPLOYMENT DETAILS

Position Title: Head Chef

Employer: Eildon Holdings Pty Ltd, trading as Lake Eildon Hotel

ABN: 19 683 842 837

Industry / Classification: Hospitality & Tourism – Chefs/Cooks

Location: Lake Eildon Hotel, Eildon, Victoria

Employment Type: Full-time, 38 hours per week

Salary: $78,000–$85,000 per annum, excluding superannuation

Pay: $78,000.00 – $85,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person

📌 Head Chef (Eildon)
🏢 Lake Eildon Hotel
📍 Eildon