Head Chef - Full Time - European Bistro

About the role

Park Street Bistro is a new European bistro opening within The Kurrajong Hotel in Erskineville. The food offering will be produce-driven, approachable and grounded in classic European bistro cooking, with a strong focus on flavour, quality ingredients, consistency and disciplined kitchen operations. This is a hands-on leadership position requiring strong culinary ability, commercial awareness and the confidence to build a positive, accountable kitchen culture. You will work closely with the General Manager and senior leadership team to ensure the menu, labour structure, kitchen systems and service standards support the commercial success of the venue.

Key responsibilities

• Lead all kitchen operations across preparation, service and close-down.

• Deliver consistent European bistro food to the agreed recipes and presentation standards.

• Establish and maintain food quality, portioning and plating standards.

• Recruit, train, lead and develop the kitchen team.

• Create clear responsibilities and accountability across all kitchen positions.

• Prepare kitchen rosters in line with forecast trade and labour budgets.

• Lead daily kitchen briefings and communicate priorities clearly.

• Maintain control of service flow, timing and communication with front of house.

• Ensure recipes, preparation methods and plating standards are documented and followed.

• Oversee food ordering, receiving, storage and stock rotation.

About you

• A minimum of five years' experience in senior kitchen leadership is essential.

• Proven experience as a Head Chef, Senior Sous Chef or Executive Sous Chef in a quality restaurant or bistro.

• Strong knowledge of classic and contemporary European bistro cooking.

• Experience delivering a produce-led menu with strong technical consistency.

• Trade qualification in Commercial Cookery or an equivalent recognised qualification.

• Demonstrated experience managing food costs, labour budgets, stock and wastage.

• Strong understanding of menu execution, portion control and kitchen systems.

• Proven ability to recruit, train and retain a high-performing kitchen team.

• NSW Food Safety Supervisor Certificate is essential.

• Must have valid Australian working rights. No sponsorship is available for this position.

About us

Park Street Bistro is a new European bistro opening within The Kurrajong Hotel in Erskineville.

Benefits

• The opportunity to lead the kitchen of a new European bistro from opening.

• Genuine input into kitchen systems, team structure and venue culture.

• A permanent full-time leadership position.

• A supportive senior management team with clear standards and expectations.

• The opportunity to build and develop your own kitchen team.

• A venue focused on quality, consistency and long-term success.