Head Chef - New Venue - The Esplanade, Torquay

HEAD CHEF — Flagship Coastal Venue Opening Soon
Location: The Esplanade, Torquay VIC

We’re launching something truly special — a new restaurant built for the Torquay community, inspired by the surf coast lifestyle, and driven by creativity, excellence, and fresh, local produce. As Head Chef, you’ll have the rare opportunity to build a kitchen team, shape a menu from the ground up, and lead the creation of a venue that will become a destination.

This is an exciting opportunity for the right candidate to set the tone, culture, and culinary voice of a new flagship venue backed by a passionate and experienced team.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Menu Leadership: Design seasonal, produce-driven menus that reflect the region’s bounty and surf culture. Run tastings and elevate café and catering experiences to premium levels.
• Kitchen Operations: Oversee daily production, lead from the front on the pans, and ensure consistency and excellence in execution — every dish, every service.
• People & Culture: Build a talented, high-performing team. Develop and mentor kitchen staff, foster a positive, accountable culture, and champion collaboration across departments.
• Financial Management: Track and manage food and labour costs, reduce wastage, and drive smart, sustainable decisions that protect the bottom line.
• Compliance & Quality: Ensure gold-standard food safety and OH&S procedures. Lead internal audits and ensure all documentation is accurate and up to date.
• Supplier & Network Relations: Source top-tier produce, manage supplier relationships, and negotiate pricing and supply agreements that uphold quality and consistency.
• Team Collaboration: Act as a key communication bridge between your kitchen and the broader operations, aligning with FOH, events, and senior management teams.
• Growth & Innovation: Stay up to date with culinary trends, food law updates, and business goals — and help steer the venue to ongoing success.

Key Performance Indicators

Menu & Food Quality

• All menus are accurately prepared and completed on time
• Daily food preparation is completed to schedule and meets quality standards
• All food supplied meets high-grade standards; sub-standard products are returned immediately
• Menu updates and specials are delivered in a timely and creative manner

Stock & Cost Control

• Complete accurate end-of-month stocktake as scheduled
• Maintain monthly food cost percentage at or below 29%
• Monitor and manage kitchen wastage to remain within acceptable levels
• Check and approve all invoices for price accuracy and product quality

Labour & Rostering

• Complete weekly kitchen rosters two weeks in advance, updating weekly
• Maintain monthly kitchen labour cost percentage at or below 30%

Operational & Financial Reporting

• Provide weekly financial reporting to the GM using the Blackwood Kitchen Performance report
• Monitor and report on COGS, pricing, and kitchen-related financial performance
• Identify and act on cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality

Leadership & Team Management

• Ensure all necessary kitchen equipment is available, maintained, and fit for purpose
• Promote team cohesion and a positive kitchen culture
• Take timely corrective action where required and escalate critical issues appropriately
• Implement and communicate OH&S policies and procedures to all kitchen staff

Business Growth & Customer Experience

• Contribute to initiatives that increase customer satisfaction and return visits
• Support projects aimed at increasing food sales and revenue
• Identify and implement improvements in kitchen operations to support business growth

Direct Reports

• All Chefs
• Kitchen Hands and Back of House Staff

Qualifications & Requirements

• Food Safety Certification (e.g. Food Handler/Supervisor Certificate) – essential
• Minimum 4 years' experience in a senior kitchen leadership role, preferably in high-volume or premium venues
• Proficient in kitchen and back-office software (e.g. Microsoft Office, inventory and ordering platforms, rostering systems)
• Experience designing menus and costing recipes, including food and beverage pairing; proficiency in design tools like InDesign is a plus
• Flexible availability — able to work weekdays, weekends, and public holidays as required
• Strong ability to lead and motivate a kitchen team in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment
• Collaborative mindset — able to work effectively with FOH, bar, and events teams to support seamless operations
• Commercial awareness — ability to manage budgets, control food and labour costs, and contribute to sales and event planning
• Excellent organisational and time management skills with a strong focus on consistency and quality
• Business acumen and basic accounting knowledge to support reporting and financial management
• Strong understanding of OH&S and food safety regulations, with a commitment to maintaining a safe and compliant kitchen

This is a full-time position based in Torquay.
Availability across weekdays, weekends, and public holidays is required.

Start Date:

November 2025

Remuneration:

Full Time – $90,000 - $120,000 + Super.

About The Blackwood Team:

Founded just 18 months ago, Blackwood is a fast-emerging hospitality and accommodation group with a growing footprint across Australia’s East Coast. Our latest project — a 90 to 100-seat restaurant paired with a 17-room boutique hotel — is set to become one of the Surf Coast’s most sought-after destinations. Located at the gateway to the Great Ocean Road in Torquay, the venue brings together refined coastal dining and elevated accommodation in a way that appeals to both locals and visitors alike.

With a focus on premium local produce, thoughtful design, and warm, considered service, Blackwood is quickly earning a reputation for crafting spaces that feel both exceptional and inviting. This is a rare opportunity to join a design-led, values-driven group during a high-growth phase — with clear potential to step into a Head of Food role across Blackwood’s expanding portfolio.

How to Apply
Send your CV and a short introduction to:
hello@blackwooddevelopment.com.au