Head Chef

Crystalbrook Kingsley has transformed Newcastle's former Council Administration Centre into an elegant and sophisticated 130-room five-star hotel with a signature rooftop bar and restaurant, lobby bar and café along with two private meeting venues. With the City Hall Civic Theatre, Newcastle Art Gallery and War Memorial moments away, Crystalbrook Kingsley is culturally connected, celebrating what has been and what is to come.

At Crystalbrook Collection, we do things differently. Driven by our mission to harness the spirit of wonder, we embrace responsible luxury with positivity, creativity, and fun, delivering locally unique hospitality experiences for our community. We're not just another hotel group — we're a bold, sustainably minded collection that puts people and place at the heart of everything we do. Guided by our values — We are Customer Obsessed, We are Collaborators, and We are Courageous— we're passionate about creating extraordinary guest experiences and shaping a new era of hospitality.

Role Purpose:

As Head Chef at Crystalbrook Kingsley, you will lead from the front in Newcastle's most exciting luxury hotel. Reporting to the Executive Chef, you'll bring creativity, precision and passion to every plate while inspiring your team to deliver unforgettable dining experiences. From fine dining to more casual moments, you champion food quality, safety and presentation, while proudly supporting Crystalbrook Collection's bold sustainability initiatives.

More about our venues:

Rombergs - Drink in style with amazing views at Crystalbrook Kingsley's very own rooftop bar in Newcastle. Our delicious signature cocktails and exquisite wine list make us one of the best cocktail bars and wine bars Newcastle has to offer.

Roundhouse - Located at the top of Crystalbrook Kingsley, this refined Newcastle restaurant serves distinctly modern Australian cuisine created using the finest regional produce sourced from local artisans, farmers and fishermen. The result is a menu of elegant, pared-back dishes that celebrate the beauty of the ingredients—it's no wonder Roundhouse has been declared one of the best restaurants in Newcastle.

Role Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and inspire the culinary team, fostering a high-performance and collaborative culture.
• Manage daily kitchen operations including food preparation, service and hygiene compliance.
• Collaborate with the Executive Chef on innovative, seasonal menus that reflect appropriate culinary identity.
• Ensure strict compliance with food safety regulations and the highest standards of cleanliness.
• Monitor food costs, inventory and waste to achieve budget targets while supporting sustainability goals.
• Champion sustainable sourcing, waste reduction and environmentally conscious kitchen practices.
• Support staffing, training and performance management to build and retain a talented team.
• Uphold our commitment to elevating experiences, collaboration and culinary excellence.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Proven experience in a senior kitchen leadership role, ideally within a luxury hotel or fine dining setting.
• Strong leadership, communication and organisational skills.
• Expertise in modern Australian cuisine and contemporary culinary techniques.
• Formal culinary training and certifications in food safety and sustainability practices.

Why Us:

You will work alongside exceptional people in a supportive, collaborative and agile environment. We are proud to offer a range of industry-leading benefits that support your lifestyle, career and wellbeing including:

• 50% F&B discount across all Crystalbrook restaurants and bars
• $99 room rates and a generous friends and family discount
• Enhanced parental Leave and lifestyle benefits
• A commitment to a green future through enhanced sustainability practices
• Access to our internal mobility program and team reward schemes
• Online learning and training with tailored career development pathways
• A culture of collaboration, elevating experiences and diversity
• Limitless career opportunities in a fast growing, dynamic environment
• Regular service recognition and team engagement events

We value diversity and inclusion, welcoming people of all backgrounds. If you need adjustments during the recruitment process, let us know so we can support you to perform at your best.

As part of our recruitment and compliance process, we may request eligibility documents, police checks and employment references.

Crystalbrook Collection is an award-winning hotel development and management company, proudly showcasing Australia's newest portfolio of distinctive upscale hotels, restaurants and bars where differences are applauded. In just seven years, we own and manage luxury hotel assets worth over AU$1 billion across NSW and QLD. Our growth trajectory continues with exciting plans for new hotels in Adelaide and Canberra during 2026 and continued ambitions for further expansion both domestically and internationally.