Japanese Mountain Retreat is a couples-only mineral springs retreat in the Dandenong Ranges, about an hour from Melbourne. Couples come to bathe in private, to be looked after, and to sit down to dinner. We are looking for a head chef to make that dinner the part of the visit they talk about afterwards.

The kitchen

You will run the kitchen yourself. Dinner is a four-course Japanese menu served at 7:00pm, set by you on the day around each couple's tastes and dietary needs. Lunch is our Wagyu BBQ. Services are small. Most nights you will cook for one to five couples, with time to give every plate your full attention. The week runs Thursday to Sunday, plus Monday breakfast and lunch, and you work whenever guests are booked on those days. Tuesday and Wednesday are your days off.

The role
Design a seasonal Japanese menu and keep developing it
Prep, cook and plate each service
Manage suppliers, ordering and food cost




Keep food safety and allergen standards high
Shape recent dining experiences with the owner as the retreat grows

About you
A head chef, or a senior sous chef ready for a kitchen of your own
Trained in Japanese cuisine, or experienced with its techniques
Organised and steady when working alone
Experienced with ordering and food cost
Looking for a place to stay and build over several years
Certificate III or IV in Commercial Cookery or equivalent, and the right to work in Australia

What we offer
$80,000 to $95,000 plus super, with more for the right person
Creative control of the menu
A direct working relationship with the owner, who is investing in the retreat with the kitchen at its centre

To apply Send your CV with a short note about a menu you are proud of, and why.

📌 Head Chef, Japanese Mountain Retreat Montrose, Dandenong Ranges · Full Time
🏢 Japanese Mountain Retreat
📍 Montrose