Head Chef

THE VENUE
The Rising Sun Hotel has stood proudly on the corner of Burnley and Swan since the 1800s, watching the world change while remaining, mercifully, the kind of pub where you can still get a proper pint without downloading an app. Now, reopening in mid-April under the team behind the Royal Oak (Fitzroy North) and The Sporting Club (Brunswick), it’s entering a new era—one that champions warmth, familiarity, and food that’s proudly, wonderfully pubby.

THE ROLE
The Rising Sun will be a true local’s pub, the kind of place that pulls you in for a quick pint, a long lunch, and everything in between. Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, the focus is simple: classic, flavour-packed Australian pub fare with timeless European influences.

The Head Chef will oversee all aspects of kitchen operations, including menu development, staff management, and ensuring a consistently high-quality dining experience. This is a role for someone with a solid foundation in technique, a strong sense of hospitality, and a love of well-executed dishes, and knowledge of old world cuisine.

Expect:

• Premium cuts, cooked to perfection
• Sunday Roasts designed to become a weekend institution
• Chalkboard specials showcasing seasonal produce
• Classic, sauce-driven dishes that honour pub traditions with European technique

This is more than a kitchen job; it’s an opportunity to shape the menu, build a strong team, and contribute to a great pub revival. With the support of Executive Chef Scott Stevenson, an Operations Manager, HR manager, and hands-on owners, you’ll take charge of:

• Seasonal Menu Development – Taking the lead on creating a menu that champions technique, flavour, and high-quality produce, with strategic input from Scott.
• Rostering & Wage Costing – Running an efficient and well-structured kitchen while maintaining a sustainable workload for the team.
• Event & Function Planning – Designing tailored menus for private events and larger gatherings, with a focus on practicality and efficiency.
• Team Leadership & Mentoring – Leading by example, developing junior chefs, and fostering a collaborative, well-supported team environment.
• Supplier Relationships – Working closely with trusted suppliers to ensure the best seasonal produce.
• Kitchen Operations & Compliance – Overseeing stock control, ordering, kitchen hygiene, and food safety standards.

What’s in it for you?

• Salary: $90K–$105K (based on experience)
• Enterprise Agreement conditions (Publican.Co 2023/2024), including favourable overtime conditions paid weekly
• A genuine work-life balance—structured rosters and manageable workloads to support staff wellbeing
• A supportive, team-first culture
• Parental leave benefits

Who We’re Looking For

• At least two years as a Head Chef (or similar leadership experience)
• Confident leader—able to rally a team, maintain high standards, and handle the heat
• Business-minded—capable of managing food costs, wages, and efficiency
• Experienced in kitchen systems—including stock control, rostering (DEPUTY), and compliance
• Excited by a challenge—thrives in fast-paced, high-energy environments
• Genuinely passionate about food, hospitality, and great pubs

JOIN US
This is a rare opportunity to lead a kitchen in one of Melbourne’s most exciting pub revivals. If you’re ready to make your mark, develop a team, and establish a menu that people will come back for, we want to hear from you.

To apply, send your resume and a brief cover letter to john@publican.co with the subject line: [Your Name | Head Chef | Rising Sun]

We look forward to hearing from you.