Head Chef

Head Chef | Lucia Roche Estate | Hunter Valley

Lead the Culinary Vision of a New Hunter Valley Destination

Lucia Roche Estate is a premium, yet approachable dining destination located in the heart of the Hunter Valley. Built around the philosophy of Gather. Share. Linger., we bring together stone-fired cooking, seasonal local produce, estate wines, and warm hospitality to create memorable dining experiences for locals and visitors alike.

As we continue to establish Lucia Roche Estate as one of the region’s most sought-after dining destinations, we are seeking an experienced and passionate Head Chef to lead our kitchen team and shape the future of our culinary offering.

Why Join Lucia Roche Estate?

·         Lead the kitchen of an exciting and growing hospitality destination

·         Work with exceptional local produce and premium Hunter Valley wines

·         Creative input into menu development and seasonal offerings

·         Supportive ownership team committed to quality and growth

·         Opportunity to build and mentor your own high-performing kitchen brigade

·         Competitive salary package and performance incentives

·         Work in one of Australia’s premier food and wine regions

About the Role

Reporting directly to the Venue Manager, you will be responsible for all aspects of kitchen operations, ensuring consistent excellence in food quality, team leadership, cost management, and guest satisfaction.

This is a hands-on leadership position suited to a chef who thrives in a fast-paced service environment while maintaining high culinary standards.

Key Responsibilities

·         Lead, mentor, and develop the kitchen team

·         Drive menu development and seasonal innovation

·         Maintain exceptional food quality, presentation, and consistency

·         Manage food and labour costs to budget targets

·         Oversee purchasing, inventory, and supplier relationships

·         Ensure compliance with food safety, HACCP, and WHS standards

·         Deliver efficient kitchen operations across lunch, dinner, events, and functions

·         Work collaboratively with front-of-house leadership to deliver outstanding guest experiences

·         Recruit, train, and retain talented culinary professionals

About You

To be successful in this role, you will possess:

·         Previous experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef within a premium restaurant, winery, hotel, or hospitality venue

·         Strong leadership and people management skills

·         Experience managing food costs, labour budgets, and kitchen profitability

·         Passion for seasonal produce, Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, and wood-fired cooking

·         Exceptional organisational and communication skills

·         Strong understanding of food safety and compliance requirements

·         A genuine commitment to hospitality, excellence and team culture

Desired Experience

·         Experience in high-volume premium casual dining

·         Event and function catering experience

·         Wine region or destination dining experience highly regarded

·         Certificate III or IV in Commercial Cookery (or equivalent)

·         Food Safety Supervisor certification

Salary & Benefits

·         Attractive salary package based on experience

·         Performance-based incentives

·         Career development opportunities

·         Staff discounts across the venue

·         Supportive and collaborative leadership team

·         Opportunity to make a lasting impact on an emerging hospitality brand

Apply Now

If you’re a passionate culinary leader looking to take ownership of a unique dining experience in the Hunter Valley, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply now with your resume and a cover letter outlining your leadership experience, culinary style, and what excites you about joining Lucia Roche Estate.

Lucia Roche Estate Gather. Share. Linger.