HEAD CHEF

POSITION SUMMARY

The Head Chef is responsible for: 

• Leadership and Team Management: Lead and inspire the kitchen team by fostering a collaborative, growth-oriented culture. Mentor and develop staff to deliver high performance while upholding Aplenty's values and commitment to excellence.
• Driving the Strategic Vision: Develop innovative, Mediterranean-inspired and custom menus and implement creative strategies that align with the company’s vision. You will participate in strategy-development, then ensure your team understands how they contribute to our strategies, mission, vision, and long-term goals, and that they “live” our values each day.
• Balancing Operational Efficiency with Customer Experience: Oversee seamless kitchen operations, focusing on resource management, cost control, and food safety while ensuring exceptional quality and memorable customer experiences.

POSITION OBJECTIVE

Success, in this position, looks like: 

• A High-Performing, Motivated Team: The kitchen team thrives under your leadership, collaborating effectively, embracing Aplenty's values, and consistently delivering high-quality results. Staff are well-trained, inspired, and clear on their role in achieving the company’s mission and goals.
  
  
• Exceptional Culinary Offerings: Menus are innovative, well-executed, and reflective of Aplenty’s Mediterranean-inspired style. Dishes consistently exceed client expectations, balancing creativity with consistency, while waste is minimized, and operational efficiency is upheld.
  
  
• Seamless Operations and Growth: Kitchen operations run smoothly, with efficient workflows, cost control, and adherence to food safety standards. Strategic initiatives are implemented successfully, driving continuous improvement, scalability, and alignment with Aplenty's long-term vision.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

• Strong leadership of the kitchen team, leading by example, encouraging growth, collaboration, and development every day.
• Drive a positive team culture that is a reflection of our core values, vision, and mission and focuses on excellence in all areas.
• Train, mentor, and develop staff to ensure high performance and standards.
• Full responsibility for day-to-day kitchen operations, with full oversight of onsite and offsite teams.
• Ensure all teams have all the information they require for prep and event success.
• Rostering of the team in line with and informed by the production schedule.
• Regular check-ins with the team to monitor both daily tasks and long-term growth.
• Hiring and onboarding of kitchen staff - managing seasonal staffing demands.

KITCHEN & EVENT OPERATIONS

• Ensuring consistency and quality in every job through effective planning, organisation, and execution.
• Weekly meetings to discuss event logistics and requirements - disseminating information to kitchen teams.
• Drive regular team meetings to discuss feedback, updates, and operational improvements.
• Taking ownership for full kitchen event operations - onsite and offsite.
• Monitor and maintain kitchen inventory and equipment - arranging repairs as needed.
• Resource management and cost control of labour, food costs, and additional costs. 
• Oversee the production schedule, ordering requirements, and staff needs in consultation with Production Manager 

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

• Ensuring client satisfaction is paramount and that this is balanced with the need to maintain operational efficiencies. 

MENU DEVELOPMENT AND CREATIVE COLLABORATION

• Create, innovate and lead seasonal menu development in collaboration with the owner and support from the Production Manager.
• Recipe costing and keeping thorough updates on changing food prices - minimising overheads.
• Keeping up-to-date recipe cards and costings  across all menus 
• Keeping up-to-date costings  - all weights recorded and made available for the Production Manager to develop prep sheets.
• Managing existing suppliers and sourcing new suppliers, custom ingredients, and equipment as per event demands.
• Development of seasonal, custom, and bespoke menus and items  in line with Aplenty's overall Mediterranean style or based on individual event and client needs, with a willingness to produce items at short notice. 
• Producing new seasonal menus 3 months ahead of schedule for sales/event teams: canapés, share plates, buffets, and custom menus.
• Constantly developing and researching new menu items and styles of service in line with customer demands and current trends, in collaboration with the owner and wider team.
• Innovation of unique and experiential food offerings eg. live cooking, food stations. 
• Regular review of sales - reviewing and informing the sales team of updates required. 
• Developing creative solutions for minimising food waste.
• Developing and elevating the kitchen operations so that we are able to scale and grow - e.g. sourcing new equipment to assist service, growth, etc.

WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY

• Ensure and drive adherence to WHS standards at all times.
• Drive a culture of impeccable hygiene and safe clean work practices.
• Develop systems and schedules to ensure WHS measures can be met.
• Maintain a safe and clean work environment.

ADMINISTRATION

• Payables recorded and lodged to bookkeeping, all receipts and expenses kept up to date.
• Managing invoices, credit notes and supplier account communications
• Payroll - timesheet completion and submitting, monitoring staff costs.
  
  

IDEAL CANDIDATE

• Has event experience.
• Has confidence with food costing programs, Excel, Xero, and Deputy.
• Loves a challenge 
• Is detail oriented
• Systems and processes come naturally to you and you have a great level of common sense and practicality when it comes to problem solving 
• Prioritises health and wellbeing of themselves and their team as crucial to success 
• Takes joy in leading and mentoring and that seeing others succeed a reflection of their own success 
• Lives and breathes hospitality, food, and wine and loves to host.
• Has plenty of unique ideas and needs an outlet.
• Is looking to create a name for themselves and make their mark in a very exciting business at a time of real growth and opportunity! 
• Is confident driving larger vans

WHAT WE OFFER

• We are a small business with big dreams and a strong vision; we are looking for the right people to collaboratively work to get us where we are going. 
• Positive and supportive workplace with growth at the core of what we do.
• A shift away from nights and long restaurant hours.
• A Tuesday to Saturday roster with one Saturday off per month (except during peak season).
• Staff lunches.
• Monthly $100 restaurant credit for research and development with the senior team.
• Female-founded business focused on team development and growth and ensuring that everyone loves coming to work everyday 

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Leader: You're a hands-on leader who guides your team by example, showcasing excellent culinary skills and inspiring everyone in the kitchen.
• Passionate: Your love for food shines through in everything you do. You're excited about exploring new food trends and adding fresh ideas to our menus.
• Organised: You keep the kitchen running smoothly by planning schedules and prep lists, making sure every detail is taken care of.
• Quality-focused: You care deeply about the consistency and excellence of our dishes, ensuring every plate delights our clients.
• Adaptable: You handle busy events with grace, maintaining high standards even when things get hectic.
• Mentor: You enjoy nurturing your team's talents, offering guidance and support to help them grow.
• Communicative: You value open communication, working closely with others to ensure our events are a success.
• Resourceful: You cleverly manage our resources, finding creative ways to keep costs down while still delivering top-notch quality.
• Accountable: You take ownership of your role, ensuring everything runs smoothly and stepping up to tackle challenges with confidence. We know mistakes happen, but it's how you deal with them that matters. 
• Positive: Your warm and upbeat attitude makes the kitchen a joyful place, uplifting the team and creating a great working environment.
• Flexible: You're willing to adjust your schedule to meet the needs of our business, understanding that great experiences often happen beyond usual hours.