Head Chef

Company Description

Epworth HealthCare is Victoria’s largest not-for-profit private health care group, renowned for excellence in diagnosis, treatment, care and rehabilitation. Epworth is an innovator in Australia’s health system, embracing the latest in evidence-based medicine to pioneer treatments and services for our patients. 

At Epworth, we are united in our commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace—one that is culturally safe and respectful of the enduring cultural and spiritual connections of our people.

We value all differences, ensure equitable practices, and empower individuals to lead and learn inclusively in their everyday interactions. Our goal is to create an environment where everyone feels a genuine sense of belonging.

Our values and purpose define Epworth's approach and delivery. We pride ourselves on communicating and delivering them in a real and meaningful way. Every Patient Matters.

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Head Chef to lead our food services team at Epworth Richmond.

As Head Chef, you will play a pivotal role in delivering exceptional food experiences across a busy 24/7 healthcare environment, ensuring the highest standards of food quality, presentation, safety, and customer service for patients, visitors, and staff.

Reporting to the Hospitality Services Operations Manager, this hands-on leadership role is responsible for leading and developing a team of Chefs, Apprentice Chefs, Cooks, and Food Services Assistants. 

This is an exciting opportunity for a strong people leader who is passionate about culinary excellence and committed to supporting Epworth's mission of delivering outstanding patient care through exceptional hospitality services.

You will make an impact by:

• Leading and inspiring a high-performing team of Chefs, Cooks, and Food Services Team Members to deliver exceptional food quality and service across a 24/7 healthcare environment.
• Being a visible, hands-on leader who fosters accountability, engagement, collaboration, and a culture of excellence within the kitchen and food service teams.
• Driving the delivery of the highest standards of food preparation, presentation, and meal service, ensuring outstanding patient, visitor, and staff experiences.
• Acting as a role model for customer service excellence, contributing to high-quality patient care that reflects Epworth Healthcare's Vision and Values.
• Researching, developing, and implementing innovative menus that meet diverse patient dietary requirements while incorporating contemporary culinary trends.
• Supporting the Hospitality Services Operations Manager in achieving key food service, supplier, financial, and operational KPIs.
• Managing food service operations across all meal periods, ensuring consistency, efficiency, and excellence in service delivery.
• Ensuring compliance with food safety, ISO standards, infection prevention and control, workplace health and safety requirements, accreditation standards, and organisational policies to mitigate operational risk.
• Building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, enhancing Epworth Healthcare's reputation as a leader in healthcare hospitality services.
• Contributing to the ongoing development of a positive workplace culture by demonstrating behaviours aligned with Epworth's Vision, Values, and professional Hospitality Services philosophy.

To Be Successful in This Role, You Will Have

• Proven leadership experience in a Head Chef, Executive Sous Chef, or similar senior culinary leadership role.
• Experience managing large-scale food service operations, ideally within healthcare, hospitality, aged care, or other high-volume catering environments.
• A passion for delivering exceptional food quality, presentation, and customer service.
• Strong people leadership skills with the ability to coach, motivate, develop, and influence teams to achieve outstanding results.
• Demonstrated experience in menu planning and development, including knowledge of therapeutic diets and nutrition requirements.
• Sound financial and operational management skills, with experience managing budgets, costs, productivity, and supplier relationships.
• Comprehensive knowledge of food safety legislation, HACCP principles, infection control requirements, workplace health and safety, and quality accreditation standards.
• Exceptional organisational, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to thrive in a fast-paced, 24/7 operational environment while maintaining attention to detail and high standards.
• Relevant culinary qualifications, together with current food safety certification and a commitment to continuous professional development.

Join Epworth Healthcare and play a pivotal role in delivering exceptional food experiences that support patient wellbeing, enhance healthcare outcomes, and reflect our commitment to excellence in hospitality services.

Position Decription          Inherent Requirements

We will review applications as we receive them.

About Richmond

Epworth Richmond is a rapidly growing, fast-paced and dynamic teaching hospital where you will work alongside top-flight practitioners in all areas. You will challenge your skills, broaden your experience and grow your expertise through exposure to a wide range of clinical specialties, treatment options and the latest in technology. Epworth will support you to provide the best possible care to our patients by continually investing in your education, better facilities and technologies.

Additional Information

Why Join Epworth?

At Epworth, it’s a community.

It’s the sense of belonging and being part of an organisation and a team that works to make sure that every patient matters. In addition to this, you will have access to:

• Salary package up to $15,900 pre-tax annually, leading to greater take home pay
• The largest educational scholarship program of its kind in Australia
• Ability to purchase up to four additional weeks of leave
• Reduced cost of health services for you and your family at Epworth
• Relocation assistance is available for approved candidates

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds. This includes First Nations peoples, people with disability, mature-age and young job seekers, members of the LGBTIQA+ community, and individuals from all cultural backgrounds. We are committed to providing an equitable, inclusive, and barrier-free recruitment experience for everyone.

If you need support during the application process or would like to discuss reasonable adjustments, we encourage you to let us know what you need to participate fully and confidently. We understand that sharing your needs can feel daunting, so please know that any information you provide will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and respect.

Ready to Make a Difference?

To apply, click the I'm Interested button to attach your CV and cover letter.

For more information about the role, refer to the attached position description or contact [email protected] or call (03) 9426 0606.

Apply now… we’ve over 8,000 perspectives at Epworth and we’re ready to welcome yours!

It is a condition of employment with Epworth HealthCare, subject to reasonable exemptions, that you have had an annual Influenza vaccination, where this is required under Epworth policy.

As a child safe organisation, all successful applicants are required to satisfactorily clear a National Police Check (conducted by Epworth) and may be required to hold a valid employee Working with Children Check (provided by you).

At Epworth, we believe inclusion and diversity are essential to our culture and values. We focus on fairness and opportunity for all – across race, ability, ethnicity, gender, age, sexuality, cultures and beliefs – that reflect the communities we work in. At Epworth, we care.