head chef

The Company

The Queen's Arms Hotel is a new and exciting venue that boasts a modern restaurant with inside / outside dining, a sports bar with TAB facilities and a luxurious gaming room. The venue is located in the Queen Street Village shopping complex in the heart of Southport.

We offer our customers an exceptional modern and innovative pub menu, a full suite of beverage choices and multiple entertainment and promotional activities.

We are seeking applications for a dedicated professional to join our team as Head Chef/Senior Chef.

The Role

An exciting opportunity is available for a passionate, hands-on and career focused Head Chef/Senior Chef, who is a proven proactive leader with extensive experience to establish and drive continuous improvements in kitchen operations and management of a full team of 3 staff. This is a full-time role with flexibility required across a 7-day roster working mornings, days, nights, weekends and public holidays.

The successful candidate would be excited to create lasting memories when delivering quality meals to our guests, showcasing the best of what The Queen's Arms has to offer.

Tasks include but are not limited to:

To be successful in your application you will need to possess the following knowledge, skills and attributes:

• Have a full understanding of costings of menu, functions and KPIs of running a kitchen which aligns with core objectives of the business in achieving profitability.
• Oversee all aspects relating to the management of the kitchen operations, including food safety plans, WHS, HACCP, financial forecasting, rostering, quality control, menu planning.
• Effective and efficient running of the kitchen including stock control, ordering, liaising with suppliers and monitoring of pricing.
• The ability to deliver consistent, high quality food whilst maintaining food costs within budget.
• Control, minimise food and supply waste, and theft.
• A modern approach and creativity for menu planning and design.
• Confident and creative cooking style with a strong emphasis on quality and presentation.
• A good understanding of rostering to manage staff and labour costs efficiently.
• The ability to lead and develop a motivated consistent team.
• Have a genuine passion for what you do, keeping up to date with new food trends.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with the Kitchen team, the Management team and suppliers to meet business needs.
• Be proactive, professional and focused in a constant changing and challenging environment.
• Have a flexible approach to adapting to guest requests.
• Maintain high standards of sanitation, cleanliness and safety.

Who we are looking for:

• Minimum of 2years recent experience in similar position
• Proven ability to manage an entire kitchen
• Confident dealing with financial figures, budgets and reports
• Proactive to handle multiple tasks at once
• Superior time management, communication, and leadership skills
• Current knowledge of food safety requirements and legislation
• Be motivated and able to work under pressure
• Have a positive can-do attitude to get things done
• Available to work across a 7 day roster
• Own reliable transport
• Full working rights within Australia

How to apply:

If this sounds like you and you would like to join our company, please apply now with your cover letter outlining your previous experience and current resume.

Please note:

If you have been successful in making it to the interview stage, you will be contacted within one week of sending through your application. All other applications will be kept on file unless you specifically request that we don't. Thank you for your application.

Applications close 30 October 2025 or sooner if position filled.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $90,000.00 – $95,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Employee discount

Work Location: In person