Head Chef – Central Western Queensland (4073580)
Job Description
Head Chef – Central Western Queensland
Immediate start | Full-time | $90,000 salary + free accommodation
An exciting opportunity is available for an experienced Head Chef with strong kitchen leadership, menu development and food cost control skills to take charge of the kitchen at a busy and well-loved pub in Central Western Queensland. This is a hands-on leadership role suited to a chef who can confidently lead a team, maintain high food standards and deliver a quality pub dining experience across lunch, dinner, functions and special events.
The Package
💰 $90,000 salary
📅 Full-time position
🏡 Free accommodation
🛏️ Own room in an off-site shared staff house
🚀 Immediate start
The Venue
This popular main-street pub is a genuine local favourite, offering great food, cold drinks and plenty of entertainment in a welcoming country-pub environment.
The bistro caters to locals, families, travellers and tourists, with a menu built around fresh produce, quality Queensland suppliers and classic pub favourites. Think succulent steaks, fresh salads, hearty meals, family-friendly options, tempting desserts and daily specials.
With lunch and dinner service seven days a week, plus functions and special events, the kitchen provides plenty of variety for an experienced chef who enjoys a busy and diverse operation.
The venue also features a bottleshop and a lively social atmosphere, making it an important part of the local community.
The Role
As Head Chef, you will take ownership of the kitchen operation and lead a team of chefs, cooks, apprentices and kitchen hands.
You’ll be responsible for:
- Leading, mentoring and managing the kitchen team.
- Planning, developing and maintaining menus suited to the local clientele, seasonal produce and market.
- Preparing and overseeing high-quality meals across lunch, dinner, functions and special events.
- Ensuring food is consistently prepared, presented and portioned to a high standard.
- Maintaining excellent food safety, hygiene and sanitation standards in line with Queensland regulations.
- Managing stock levels, ordering, receiving and correct storage of food and kitchen supplies.
- Controlling food costs and maintaining appropriate gross profit margins.
- Monitoring kitchen budgets, labour costs and food costs in conjunction with management.
- Coordinating effectively with front-of-house, venue management and functions teams.
- Maintaining a safe, organised and efficient kitchen environment.
- Keeping accurate records relating to food safety, cleaning, stock, ordering and kitchen operations.
- Contributing to the overall profitability, reputation and smooth running of the venue.
- Undertaking other kitchen and operational duties as required.
What We’re Looking For
We’re seeking a confident and experienced Head Chef who can combine strong culinary skills with effective kitchen leadership.
You’ll ideally bring:
- Previous Head Chef or senior kitchen management experience.
- Strong menu planning and development skills.
- Proven experience managing and mentoring a kitchen team.
- Excellent food preparation and presentation standards.
- Solid understanding of food costs, stock control and kitchen budgets.
- Strong knowledge of food safety and hygiene requirements.
- The ability to remain calm, organised and hands-on during busy service periods.
- A practical, team-focused approach to kitchen management.
- Experience in pub, hotel, bistro or similar high-volume hospitality environments.
- The ability to work independently and take ownership of the kitchen operation.
Life in Central Western Queensland
Located in a remote outback community in Central Western Queensland, this role offers the chance to become part of a friendly country-town environment where locals, farmers, travellers and tourists come together.
Expect wide-open spaces, big skies, red dirt, warm hospitality and a strong sense of community. The town has the essentials including pubs, cafés, shops, accommodation and local services, while maintaining a genuine outback character.
Tourism brings additional energy to the community, particularly during the cooler months, creating a varied customer base and an interesting dining environment for an experienced hospitality professional.
If you’re an accomplished Head Chef looking for a hands-on leadership role with accommodation, strong earning potential and a genuine Central Western Queensland lifestyle, we’d love to hear from you.
How to Apply:
If you are ready to start your remote adventure and feel you are the right candidate for this role, we would love to hear from you – please forward your resume to jobs@mlkarecruitment.com.au or click ‘Apply Now’ above.
All applications are handled on a confidential basis.
Note, due to confidentiality on some roles, not all our positions are externally advertised.
Who We Are:
MLKA Hospitality Recruitment are industry leaders in remote, regional and outback hospitality employment Australia wide. Australian owned and operated since 2008.
Our roles offer an excellent opportunity for skilled hospitality staff to embark on an adventurous career, experiencing the REAL Australia.
We recruit for equal opportunity employers.
Specific details of our roles, salary and locations are provided during the interview process.
We recruit for the best hospitality employers in regional & remote Australia who can offer their employees a great work/life balance. Our service is 100% free for jobseekers.
Escape the high cost and stresses of city living with a fantastic live in role – accommodation packages are provided with all roles.
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