Full-time Head Chef

Full-Time Head Chef

Susuru Izakaya – Newcastle CBD

Susuru Izakaya is a traditional Japanese restaurant in the heart of Newcastle CBD. Originally established as a ramen restaurant, we have recently renovated and relaunched as a Japanese izakaya, offering a broader range of authentic Japanese dishes.

We also operate our own food production facility, where we make Japanese dumplings (Gyoza) and prepare our signature ramen broth.

We are looking for an experienced and passionate Full-Time Head Chef to join our team and help lead our kitchen operations.

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity for a chef who is professionally minded, enjoys working in a fast-paced environment, and has a genuine interest in Japanese food and culture.

You will be responsible for maintaining high food quality and kitchen standards, supporting and training the kitchen team, and helping develop our menu and kitchen operations.

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will have:

• At least 1 year of experience in a similar Head Chef or senior chef role
• Experience working in a busy restaurant environment
• Experience in Japanese izakaya, ramen, or similar Japanese cuisine is highly desirable
• Strong knowledge of food safety, hygiene and cleaning procedures
• Good understanding of food costs, portion control and cost calculations
• Ability to contribute to menu development and creative dishes
• Strong leadership and communication skills
• A professional attitude and strong work ethic
• An interest in Japanese food and culture
• Ability to work efficiently under pressure while maintaining high standards
• Flexibility to work 38–42 hours per week, including weekends, public holidays and split shifts
• Ability to work as part of a multicultural team

Why Join Us?

We have a friendly and supportive team with staff from a variety of cultural backgrounds, including international students.

We believe in creating a positive workplace where our team can develop their cooking skills, learn from each other and gain experience working with different cultures.

As part of the Susuru team, you will also have the opportunity to learn about Japanese cooking techniques, ramen production, gyoza production and izakaya-style cuisine.

Remuneration

Remuneration will be based on the relevant award classification and is negotiable depending on experience, skills and performance.

How to Apply

If you are passionate about Japanese cuisine and believe you are the right person to lead our kitchen team, we would love to hear from you.

Please send your cover letter and resume to:

[email protected]

Immediate start available.