Head Chef

About the role

As the senior culinary leader, you will be responsible for the overall management of the commercial kitchen, ensuring the consistent delivery of authentic Italian cuisine while maintaining the highest standards of food quality, service and operational excellence. You will lead a kitchen team comprising junior kitchen staff, oversee menu development, kitchen performance and food safety compliance, and play a key role in the ongoing success of the restaurant. This is a full-time position based at our Croydon, NSW restaurant.

What you'll be doing

• Lead and oversee all day-to-day kitchen operations, ensuring efficient workflow and consistently high standards.
• Supervise, mentor and coordinate a team of junior kitchen staff, promoting a positive, collaborative and productive workplace culture.
• Recruit, train and develop kitchen staff to build a skilled and high-performing team.
• Plan, develop and refine authentic Italian menus and seasonal specials while maintaining consistency in food quality and presentation.
• Prepare and oversee the preparation of high-quality Italian dishes in accordance with established recipes and restaurant standards.
• Manage kitchen budgets, food costs and labour costs to achieve operational and financial targets.
• Oversee stock ordering, inventory management and supplier relationships to ensure adequate stock levels and minimise waste.
• Monitor portion control, quality assurance and presentation standards across all menu items.
• Stay up to date with food trends and industry developments, introducing new menu ideas and kitchen improvements where appropriate.
• Ensure full compliance with Australian food safety legislation, safe food handling practices and workplace health and safety requirements.
• Work closely with restaurant management and front-of-house staff to deliver exceptional customer service and seamless dining experiences.
• Represent the kitchen's interests within the business and contribute to the restaurant's operational planning and continuous improvement initiatives.

What we're looking for

• Minimum 1 year of experience as a Head Chef or in a similar senior chef leadership role within an Italian restaurant or comparable high-volume hospitality environment.
• Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery or an equivalent relevant qualification.
• Demonstrated experience leading and supervising kitchen teams.
• Strong knowledge of authentic Italian cuisine, cooking techniques and menu development.
• Experience managing kitchen operations, food costs, stock control and budgeting.
• Proven leadership, organisational and people management skills.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving abilities with the capacity to perform under pressure.
• Thorough understanding of Australian food safety legislation, safe food handling practices and workplace health and safety requirements.
• Passion for producing exceptional food and delivering outstanding customer experiences.

What we offer

At Boffa's Italian, we value our employees and are committed to providing a supportive and rewarding workplace. We offer:

• Competitive salary package.
• Stable full-time employment with opportunities for long-term career growth.
• A supportive and collaborative team environment.
• The opportunity to lead an experienced kitchen team and contribute to the continued success of a well-established Italian restaurant.
• Ongoing professional development and opportunities to showcase your culinary expertise and creativity.

About us

Boffa's Italian is a well-established Italian restaurant located in the heart of Croydon, Sydney, serving authentic Italian cuisine prepared using quality ingredients and traditional cooking techniques. We pride ourselves on delivering exceptional food, warm hospitality and memorable dining experiences for our local community. Our commitment to quality, teamwork and outstanding customer service has made us a valued local destination. We are looking for a dedicated Head Chef who shares our passion for authentic Italian cuisine and strong kitchen leadership.

Pay: $90,000.00 – $100,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person