A Modern Italian Restaurant. Serving quality and traditional Italian cuisine. TOCCA restaurant in Werribee is a fully licenced Italian restaurant. It is trading 7 days. We are seeking a full time experienced Chef with the right attitude and passion for working in Italian kitchen with at least 3-4 years of relevant experience. Minimum of a Cert IV qualification or equivalent in substantial experience. 

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Chef to join a well-established Italian restaurant and play a key role in delivering high-quality, authentic Italian cuisine.

Essential Skills required:

• Strong cooking and food presentation skills with proven experience in authentic Italian cuisine, including pasta, risotto, pizza, antipasti, meat and seafood dishes

• In-depth knowledge of Italian cooking techniques, ingredients, traditional recipes and modern plating standards

• Extensive understanding of kitchen operations, including stock control, ordering, food costing and waste minimisation

• Ability to oversee and support all aspects of daily kitchen operations

• Demonstrated ability to lead, supervise and work collaboratively within a professional kitchen team

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively coordinate with kitchen and front-of-house staff

• Proven ability to train, mentor and develop cooks and junior kitchen staff in Italian cooking methods

• Sound knowledge of food safety regulations, HACCP principles and compliance with Australian Food Standards

• Commitment to maintaining high standards of workplace health and safety, including WorkCover and safe work practices

• Excellent time management, organisation and multitasking skills in a fast-paced hospitality environment

• High standards of personal hygiene, cleanliness and professional conduct at all times

Benefits

• Work with well reputed restaurant
• Salary of $75,000 - $85,000 + super for this role
•  full-time ongoing position

Task & responsibilities

As the Chef, you will undergo the following tasks and responsibilities.

• Work with restaurant owner and be involved in restaurant growth strategy

• Menu planning (including seasonal menu planning, weekly chefs specials and catering) and estimating food and labour costs

• Examine the food and supplies to ensure quality

• Prepare and cook food as per menu and recipes during busy period

• Monitor all stored food is correctly labelled and placed in temperature-controlled facilities

• Estimate weekly, fortnightly food requirements and order food supplies

•  Help owner with Hire, train and manage all kitchen staff, including employee development and conducting performance reviews.

• Lead the other kitchen staff to run kitchen operations.

• Suggest cross-marketing strategies such as food and wine pairings.

• Plan set menu for functions or events

• Prepared food items to meet recipes, portioning, dietary requirements, cooking and waste control guidelines.

• When required, manage kitchen staff and delegate tasks related to meal prep, cooking and delivering food to diners in a timely fashion

• Follow and enforce workplace health & safety regulations, implement and be a leader of hygiene policies and examining equipment for cleanliness

• Maintain relationships with existing suppliers and find new suppliers if required

Qualification & experience

Qualifications:

• Minimum of a Cert IV qualification or equivalent in substantial experience.

Experience Requirement:

• At least 3-4 years of experience in highly relevant role required.
• Experience with Italian cuisine.
• Experience working in fast paced and busy kitchen
• Experience in leading Italian kitchen staff