LabourLens is recruiting on behalf of Paddington Restaurant Pty Ltd ATF Kumar Family Trust t/a Paddington Cafe for a skilled Chef to join its team in Belmont, Victoria. This is a full-time position requiring a minimum of 38 hours per week. The successful applicant will prepare and cook breakfast and lunch dishes, contribute to menu planning and oversee food quality throughout preparation and service. You will work closely with management and kitchen staff to maintain consistent presentation, efficient service and high standards of food safety. Australian citizens and permanent residents are preferred.

Benefits

• Full-time employment with a minimum of 38 hours per week.
• Superannuation and applicable paid leave entitlements.
• Opportunity to contribute to menu planning and seasonal specials.
• Varied cooking responsibilities across a breakfast and lunch menu.
• Opportunity to apply and develop culinary skills in a café kitchen.

Task & responsibilities

• Plan breakfast and lunch menus and specials with management, considering customer preferences, seasonal ingredients and dietary requirements.
• Estimate food quantities and food and labour costs, and arrange ingredient orders to meet daily service needs.
• Prepare and cook menu items, including eggs Benedict, chilli scrambled eggs, mushroom toast, breakfast plates, beef burgers, chicken schnitzel burgers and calamari.
• Prepare sauces, dressings and accompaniments, including Hollandaise, salsa verde, aioli, slaw and garnishes.
• Check ingredient quality and monitor the taste, cooking standards, portion sizes and presentation of dishes throughout preparation and service.
• Discuss food preparation issues, dietary requests and service timing with management, kitchen staff and front-of-house staff.
• Demonstrate cooking techniques and guide kitchen staff in following recipes, using equipment and presenting dishes consistently.
• Prepare meals for dietary requests, checking ingredients and following safe allergen-handling procedures.
• Explain and enforce food hygiene procedures, including safe handling, cleaning, temperature control and prevention of cross-contamination.
• Monitor ingredient use, rotate stock and minimise food waste while maintaining sufficient supplies.
• Assist with selecting and training kitchen staff as required.
• Safely cool, freeze, label and preserve suitable ingredients and prepared food for later use.
• Follow HACCP procedures by monitoring food temperatures, preventing cross-contamination and maintaining food safety records throughout preparation, cooking and storage.

Qualification & experience

• Relevant Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree in commercial cookery, culinary arts or hospitality with a cookery focus, or an equivalent qualification.
• At least one year of relevant experience as Chef in a commercial kitchen, café or restaurant.
• Experience preparing breakfast and lunch dishes, sauces and accompaniments.
• Ability to plan menus, estimate ingredient requirements and control food waste.
• Sound knowledge of food safety, kitchen hygiene and allergen management.
• Ability to maintain consistent food quality and presentation during busy service periods.
• Good communication, teamwork and organisational skills.
• Ability to guide and train kitchen staff.
• Availability to work rostered shifts, including weekends and public holidays as required.