Head Chef | Caldermeade Farm & Cafe

Caldermeade Farm & Cafe is looking for an experienced and passionate Head Chef to lead our kitchen team in one of Gippsland's most unique hospitality venues.

Set on a working dairy farm just over an hour from Melbourne, Caldermeade Farm combines a busy café, fresh farm produce, events and tourism into a genuinely special hospitality experience. We are known for warm service, quality food and a welcoming family atmosphere for both guests and staff alike.

About the Role

• Full-time position

• 76-hour fortnight

• Predominantly daytime operation

• Typical roster between 8am – 4pm

• Two weekends per 4 weeks required

• Availability to work approximately half of annual public holidays

• Rare evening work for functions and weddings

• Salary starting from $70,000 + super

• Negotiable for the right candidate

Reporting directly to the Venue Manager, you will oversee all day-to-day kitchen operations while helping continue the growth and development of our food offering.

What You'll Be Doing

• Leading a kitchen team of approximately 5–8 chefs, cooks and kitchen hands

• Managing service across a high-volume café environment exceeding 250 covers per day on weekends

• Rostering and labour management

• Menu costing and seasonal menu development

• Ordering, stock control and supplier management

• Maintaining high food quality and consistency

• Ensuring food safety and kitchen compliance standards are met

• Supporting and mentoring junior team members

• Contributing ideas and creativity to help evolve the menu, kitchen operations and the wider business.

About You

We are looking for someone who is:

• Experienced in a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef role

• Minimum 1-2 years of Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef experience required

• Strong in leadership, communication and team culture

• Confident with rostering, food costing and kitchen administration

• Organised and calm under pressure

• Passionate about fresh produce and modern Australian brunch-style food

• Hands-on, reliable and solutions-focused

• Looking for long-term stability within a supportive business

• Australian work rights essential at time of application

Why Join Caldermeade Farm?

• Supportive owners and positive team culture

• Genuine work-life balance with mostly daytime hours

• Creative freedom with menu development

• Opportunity to work with fresh farm produce

• A unique farm café and events environment

• Stable full-time role within a growing business

If you are a motivated hospitality professional looking for a leadership role where you can make an impact while still maintaining balance outside of work, we would love to hear from you.

Please apply via SEEK with your resume and a short cover letter outlining your experience.