About Coogee Common

Coogee Common is a unique garden-to-plate restaurant, wine bar, and community hub located within the heritage-listed Coogee Hotel precinct. Set across two acres of productive organic gardens, our venue features market gardens, orchards, berry patches, beehives, and edible landscapes that supply much of the produce used throughout our menus.

Our philosophy is simple: grow what we can, source responsibly from local producers, and create exceptional dining experiences that celebrate seasonality, sustainability, and community. Coogee Common is one of Western Australia's leading examples of true garden-to-table hospitality.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced and visionary Head Chef to lead both the culinary and garden programs at Coogee Common.

This is a unique leadership role that extends beyond the kitchen. Working closely with the garden team and wider hospitality leadership group, you will be responsible for shaping menus around the seasons, driving the garden-to-table philosophy, and overseeing the continued development of our productive gardens.

The ideal candidate will be passionate about sustainability, ingredient-led cooking, and creating a strong connection between the garden and the plate.

Key Responsibilities

Culinary Leadership

Lead all kitchen operations, ensuring exceptional food quality and consistency
Design and execute seasonal menus driven by produce availability
Champion a true garden-to-table philosophy across all offerings
Manage kitchen staffing, rostering, recruitment, and development
Maintain strong food cost, labour cost, and stock control performance
Ensure compliance with all food safety, hygiene, and WHS requirements
Drive innovation while maintaining operational excellence

Garden & Produce Leadership

Oversee and work closely with the garden team to maximise productivity and seasonal planning
Develop annual planting schedules aligned with menu requirements
Identify opportunities to expand garden yields and product diversity
Ensure strong communication between kitchen and garden teams
Champion sustainable growing practices and waste reduction initiatives
Educate the team on seasonality, produce utilisation, and garden integration

Team Development

Lead, mentor, and inspire a high-performing culinary team
Foster a positive, collaborative, and professional culture
Develop future leaders through coaching and structured training
Build strong relationships across all departments

Skills & Experience Required

Proven experience as a Head Chef in a quality-driven venue
Demonstrated experience working within farm-to-table, garden-to-table, or produce-led environments
Strong understanding of seasonal menu development and local sourcing
Experience working directly with growers, farmers, or productive gardens
Knowledge of horticulture, kitchen gardens, or food production systems highly regarded
Strong financial acumen including food cost and labour management
Excellent leadership and communication skills
Passion for sustainability, regenerative practices, and local produce
Ability to thrive in a dynamic and evolving environment
Current food safety qualifications

What We Offer

Competitive salary package based on experience
The opportunity to lead one of Western Australia's most unique garden-to-table venues
Direct involvement in menu planning from seed to plate
Collaboration with an established on-site garden team
Career development opportunities across a growing hospitality group
Staff meals and group-wide discounts
A beautiful heritage venue with strong community connections
The chance to shape the future of a nationally recognised garden-to-table destination

Why Join Coogee Common?

This is more than a Head Chef role. It is an opportunity to become a custodian of one of Australia's most unique food-growing and dining experiences. If you are passionate about seasonality, sustainability, produce, and creating meaningful food experiences from the ground up, we would love to hear from you.