Head Chef

Golden Hills Brewery – Diamond Creek
$105,000–$125,000 per annum

Golden Hills Brewery has established itself as one of Melbourne's leading destination brewpubs, built on a commitment to quality, community and genuine hospitality.

While exceptional beer remains at the core of our identity, our kitchen has become an equally important part of the guest experience. With guests travelling from across Melbourne and beyond to enjoy our food, and we are committed to delivering a menu that reflects the same level of craftsmanship, consistency and attention to detail as our brewing.

As Head Chef, you will play a pivotal role in maintaining and enhancing that reputation. We are seeking a leader who takes genuine pride in every dish served, understands the importance of consistency at scale, and is passionate about developing both people and product.

Our venue can seat up to 250 guests; success in this role requires a calm, hands-on leader who can deliver exceptional service standards while fostering a positive, accountable and high-performing kitchen culture.

We are a community-focused business supported by a loyal local customer base. Our leadership team believes in clear communication, mutual respect and leading by example. We value collaboration, maintain an open-door approach, and encourage honest conversations that strengthen both our people and our business.

We are seeking an experienced, hands-on Head Chef to lead our kitchen team and continue developing the food offering at Golden Hills Brewery.

This is a leadership role for someone who enjoys being hands on during service, coaching their team, maintaining exceptional standards and continually improving the guest experience. Rather than focusing on administration, your primary responsibility will be leading a high-performing kitchen that consistently delivers outstanding food.

Rostering, initial recruitment processes and other admin tasks are managed by our HR team, allowing you to focus on service, team development, menu innovation and operational excellence.

• Lead the kitchen through busy services with confidence, organisation and professionalism.

• Maintain exceptional consistency, quality and presentation across every dish.

• Train, mentor and develop chefs and kitchen staff, creating a positive and high-performing culture.

• Lead by example through a hands-on approach to service.

• Develop seasonal menus and specials in collaboration with venue management.

• Manage ordering, stock control, supplier relationships and stocktakes.

• Monitor food costs and kitchen performance while maintaining quality standards.

• Ensure full compliance with Food Safety and OH&S requirements.

• Work collaboratively with venue management to continually improve the guest experience.

You are an experienced hospitality professional who enjoys leading from the front and takes genuine pride in developing both your team and the product you deliver.

You will ideally possess:

• Previous experience as a Head Chef, or an experienced Sous Chef ready to step into a leadership role.

• Demonstrated success leading high-volume kitchen operations.

• The ability to confidently lead services while maintaining consistency and quality.

• Strong menu development skills with a focus on seasonal, approachable and high-quality food.

• Excellent leadership, organisational and communication skills.

• A calm and solutions-focused approach under pressure.

• A genuine passion for hospitality, teamwork and mentoring others.

As a hospitality venue, our busiest trading periods are evenings, weekends and special events. The successful applicant will be expected to lead these services as part of their regular roster.

As you establish yourself in the role, build your leadership team and demonstrate consistent performance, there will be opportunities to review and negotiate your roster to support a healthy work-life balance while continuing to meet the needs of the business.

Golden Hills Brewery has been built on the support of our local community. Many of our guests are regulars, and they return because they trust us to consistently deliver a great experience.

Consistency is one of our core values. Whether it's the beer we brew or the meals we serve, every guest should enjoy the same high standard every time they visit.

We believe great kitchens are built on respect, accountability and communication. Our leadership team is approachable, hands-on and actively involved in the day-to-day operation of the business. We value open conversations, constructive feedback and working together to continually improve.

If you're looking for a workplace where you'll be supported, challenged and given the opportunity to build a team you're proud of, we'd love to hear from you.

• $105,000–$125,000 per annum, based on experience.

• A leadership role with genuine autonomy and influence.

• Creative input into menu development and the future direction of the food offering.

• HR support for recruitment and rostering, allowing you to focus on leadership and operational excellence.

• A collaborative leadership team committed to quality, communication and continuous improvement.

• Opportunities for career progression within a growing hospitality group.

• A business that values community, consistency and exceptional hospitality.

If you are an experienced chef who is passionate about leading people, delivering exceptional food and building a kitchen culture centred on quality and consistency, we encourage you to apply.

Join Golden Hills Brewery and help shape the next chapter of one of Melbourne's most respected destination brewpubs.