About us
Santini’s Restaurant & Bar is a busy Italian restaurant and bar on the Esplanade in Hervey Bay. We offer regular dining service, functions, weddings and private events. We’re building a professional, well-organised kitchen for the long term, and we need experienced leaders who run the kitchen like a business.

Salary

- Head Chef: $90,000 – $100,000 + super
- Sous Chef: $75,000 – $80,000 + super

What we need from you
Our priority is control and consistency. You’ll start by working with our current menu as it is. The first goal is to cost it, standardise it and run it efficiently, not to change it. Once the kitchen is under control, there will be room to improve and develop the menu together. You will:

- Manage food cost: cost every dish on the menu, build accurate recipe cards and keep food cost within target
- Manage labour cost: plan kitchen rosters around trading levels so staff cost stays under control
- Standardise the menu: set portion sizes, recipe specs and plating standards so every dish looks and tastes the same, every time, no matter who is cooking
- Control waste: track and reduce food waste through smart ordering, stock rotation (FIFO), prep planning and waste logs
- Run ordering and stock: handle supplier orders, stocktakes and stock control
- Lead and train the team: make sure everyone follows the recipes, standards and food safety procedures

Head Chef owns all of the above and reports on kitchen performance.
Sous Chef supports the Head Chef across these areas, runs the pass and leads the kitchen when the Head Chef is off.

What we’re looking for





- Proven experience as a Head Chef or Sous Chef in a busy commercial kitchen
- Hands-on experience with food costing and recipe costing, and comfortable working with an existing menu
- Track record of reducing waste and controlling costs
- Strong eye for consistency and presentation
- Organised, calm and reliable under pressure
- Excellent communication in English
- Available to work nights, weekends and public holidays
- Looking for a long-term role
- Italian cuisine experience is a big plus, but not essential
- Trade qualification (Cert III/IV in Commercial Cookery) highly regarded

What we offer

- Secure, long-term position with room to grow
- Real ownership of the kitchen and its results
- Friendly, supportive team
- Beautiful beachfront location

Important

- Applicants must have current working rights in Australia.
- Visa sponsorship may be considered for the right candidate, once they have been working with us and have met the requirements of the role.
- This role does not count towards the 88 days of specified work for the Working Holiday Visa.

How to apply
Apply through this ad or send your CV to [email protected]. In your cover note, tell us which position you’re applying for and give one example of how you’ve reduced food cost or waste in a previous kitchen. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview and a paid trial shift.

Pay: $75,000.00 – $100,000.00 per year

Benefits:

- Employee discount
- Free food
- Relocation assistance
- Visa sponsorship

Work Location: In person

📌 Head Chef/Sous Chef (Torquay)
🏢 Santini's Restaurant and Bar
📍 Torquay