Head Chef

About the business and the role

Gabriella’s at the Grove is a well-established suburban restaurant in Hurstville Grove, created in 2020 as a tribute to our daughter Gabriella. We are a family-run business focused on quality food and a welcoming, community-driven environment. Our offering includes breakfast, lunch, house-made baked goods, and a European-inspired dinner service. We are a fully licensed, family-friendly venue committed to delivering a high-quality dining experience for our local community.

We are looking for an experienced full time Chef to join our growing team.

Job tasks and responsibilities

·          Plan, organise and direct the preparation and cooking of a broad range of dishes across breakfast, lunch and dinner service, ensuring output aligns with a full-service café and European-style kitchen

·          Prepare and present complex dishes requiring multiple cooking techniques, including egg-based breakfast items, slow-cooked sauces (e.g. shakshuka), fresh pasta (e.g. gnocchi, linguini), seafood, grilled meats, and composed plates with multiple elements

·          Monitor and control all stages of food preparation and presentation to ensure consistency, portion control and adherence to established menu standards across high-volume service periods

·          Develop and refine menu items and seasonal specials incorporating fresh, locally sourced ingredients, balancing flavour, presentation and cost considerations in a modern café and casual dining context

·          Manage kitchen operations across multiple service periods, including all-day breakfast, lunch and evening service with share plates, mains and desserts, ensuring efficient workflow and service timing

·          Oversee stock control, ordering and inventory management for a wide range of ingredients including fresh produce, proteins, dairy and specialty items, ensuring proper storage and stock rotation

·          Supervise and coordinate kitchen staff, including delegating tasks across sections, maintaining workflow during peak service and providing on-the-job training to ensure consistent food quality

·          Ensure strict compliance with food safety, hygiene and WHS standards, maintaining a clean and organised kitchen environment in line with regulatory requirements

·          Liaise with front-of-house staff to coordinate service, manage dietary requirements and ensure timely delivery of meals in a family-friendly, licensed dining environment