Chef

Role purpose

Essential experience and capabilities

• Department of Human Services clearance for vulnerable people.
• At least 3–5 years as a chef in a commercial or full-service restaurant environment, including high-volume kitchen operations.
• Food safety and HACCP knowledge, including compliance with food safety legislation.
• Ability to work across aged care catering and restaurant service.
• Relationship-building, workload prioritisation, communication, problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities.
• Compassionate, sensitive approach to residents and clients; experience contributing to a positive staffing culture and assessing employee competencies.

Qualifications

• Current Food Safety Supervisor Certification is an essential ongoing requirement.
• Cert III in Commercial Cookery or equivalent.
• Cert IV in Leadership and Management or equivalent.

Desirable experience and skills

• Positive customer service practices and effective teamwork or leadership.
• Basic computer skills and willingness to learn.
• Personal development commitment and aged care catering experience.
• Understanding of the aged care environment, reforms, legislation and regulations.

Catering and food service

• Prepare and cook meals for residential aged care, retirement living, home-care clients and the public, meeting food safety requirements and individual preferences.
• Complete accurate catering records in line with accreditation requirements and policies.
• Plan seasonal menus with à la carte and set meal options and deliver consistent restaurant-quality presentation and timely service.
• Prepare public restaurant orders and maintain standards for external customers.
• Ensure equipment, stock and supplies are available and operate equipment according to safe work procedures.
• Maintain kitchen cleanliness and safe food storage, rotation, labelling and handling in accordance with HACCP.
• Assist with stock control, ordering and inventory management while minimising food waste.
• Work with clinical, care and wellbeing teams to support resident independence, choice and quality of life.
• Identify catering risks and participate in resolving catering complaints.

Leadership and volunteer support

• Lead and direct the catering team, supporting service quality, competency, morale and a culture of learning and accountability.
• Support recruitment, staff induction, performance reviews, training and workplace health and safety.
• Identify education and training needs with the Residential Care Manager.
• Coordinate with the Recruitment Officer on volunteer engagement and orientation and help volunteers maintain continuity of assigned duties.

Salary

• Expected salary is AUD $79,500–$85,000 per year.