Independent Alexandria venue seeking a Head Chef to lead a busy seven-day kitchen. We want a strong food operator and people leader who can build standards, improve systems, and create a calm, consistent, high-performing team culture Strong Sous candidates ready to step up are encouraged to apply.
We’re looking for a Head Chef who can combine strong food instincts with real leadership, systems thinking and team development.
This is a hands-on leadership role in a busy seven-day venue where consistency, standards and culture matter.
The MiTCH is an independent, Pokie free local venue in Alexandria with a strong identity, a busy seven-day trade, and a food offer built around quality, consistency and genuine hospitality.
We are looking for a Head Chef who can do more than cook well. This role is for someone who can lead a team, create structure, improve systems, and build a kitchen that performs at a high level every day of the week.
We want someone with strong culinary instincts, great standards and good judgement — but just as importantly, someone who understands that systems, communication and accountability are what allow a kitchen to succeed long term.
This is not the right role for someone who wants to rely purely on being hands-on every minute of every shift. It is the right role for someone who takes pride in building a kitchen that stays organised, consistent and motivated, even when they are not physically standing over every service.
What the role involves
Leading the kitchen team across prep, service, standards and culture
Building and maintaining recipes, prep systems, handovers and SOPs
Creating consistency in food quality, plating and execution
Working closely with ownership to improve kitchen organisation, communication and performance
Managing ordering, stock control, labour awareness, waste reduction and food cost discipline
Training and developing a team to follow standards confidently and consistently
Helping shape specials, menu improvements and operational refinements in a commercially sensible way
What we’re looking for
Proven senior kitchen leadership experience as a Head Chef or a strong Sous Chef ready to step up
A genuine ability to lead people, earn buy-in and build morale
Strong culinary standards and pride in producing excellent food
Comfort with systems, structure, reporting and accountability
Someone collaborative, level-headed and solutions-focused
A chef who sees standardisation as a platform for quality, not a restriction
Experience in high-volume venues, pubs, bistros or pizza/Italian-influenced kitchens is highly regarded
Why this role is different
We are serious about building a kitchen that runs well, communicates well and improves continuously. This is a chance to take real ownership in an independent venue where your leadership, systems thinking and food standards will genuinely matter.
If you are ambitious, practical, team-oriented and want to build something properly, we’d love to hear from you.
To apply
Please send your resume along with a short note covering:
a kitchen system or process you introduced that improved consistency or performance
how you train a team to maintain standards when you’re not on shift
what kind of kitchen culture you try to build
