Head Chef | National Gallery of Australia

Position description Apply now

Position: Head Chef – Oculus Café x Kitchen by Mike

Location: National Gallery of Australia, Canberra

Trippas White Group is one of Australia's premier hospitality companies, managing over 140 venues nationwide, including iconic restaurants, cafés, event spaces, and hospitality services for prestigious organisations. Our commitment to quality, innovation, and excellence makes us a leader in the industry.

An exciting new chapter is about to begin at the National Gallery of Australia. Trippas White Group is proud to launch Oculus Café x Kitchen by Mike – a unique collaboration between the National Gallery of Australia, acclaimed Australian chef Mike McEnearney, and Trippas White Group. Operated on behalf of Kitchen by Mike, this new venue brings together the Gallery's creativity and cultural significance, Mike's celebrated produce-led food philosophy, and Trippas White Group's renowned hospitality expertise.

We're looking for a Head Chef who wants more than a job – someone ready to take full ownership of a brand-new site from day one and build it as if it were their own. Reporting to the Executive Chef – Retail Canberra, you'll be the driving force behind day-to-day kitchen operations, bringing Mike McEnearney's produce-led philosophy to life for Gallery visitors while also owning the venue's events offering – from intimate functions to large-scale Gallery occasions – with the leadership skills to plan, staff, and deliver every one of them flawlessly.

• Take full ownership of culinary operations at Oculus Café x Kitchen by Mike, driving standards, consistency and quality across every service.
• Partner with Trippas White Group's senior culinary leadership and the Kitchen by Mike team to bring Mike McEnearney's produce-led food philosophy to life on the café menu.
• Own the planning and delivery of Gallery events and functions – from menu design through to staffing, service and on-the-day execution – ensuring every occasion reflects the quality of the brand.
• Recruit, roster and manage kitchen and event staff, fostering a positive, collaborative culture of learning, accountability and genuine hospitality.
• Lead, mentor and develop a high-performing team, building a real pipeline of talent and succession within the venue.
• Maintain rigorous food safety, HACCP and WH&S compliance across daily service and event operations.
• Manage budgets, food and labour costs, and procurement to protect profitability without compromising on quality.
• Conduct regular site audits and use guest feedback to drive continuous improvement in food, service and presentation.
  

• Proven experience as a Head Chef, or a strong Sous Chef ready to step up, ideally within a high-profile, multi-faceted hospitality or cultural venue.
• A genuine passion for produce-driven cooking and the confidence to bring a respected chef's philosophy to life with authenticity.
• Hands-on experience planning and running events or functions, with the leadership skills to manage staff under pressure.
• Strong people leadership – someone who builds, trains and retains great teams.
• Financial acumen across budgeting, cost control and P&L management.
• Solid understanding of food safety, compliance and WH&S standards.
• An entrepreneurial mindset – someone who wants to build something and takes genuine pride of ownership in a new venue. 

This is a rare opportunity to be part of a new venue from day one – working with Mike McEnearney's concept and Trippas White Group's experienced culinary leaders to bring a produce-driven menu, and a produce-driven events program, to life for Gallery visitors and guests.

Benefits include:

• Genuine autonomy and ownership of your own site from opening day
• The chance to work alongside acclaimed chef Mike McEnearney's Kitchen by Mike concept, backed by Trippas White Group's national platform
• Comprehensive induction program to set you up for success
• Ongoing professional development and career progression opportunities
• Weekly remuneration and a competitive salary package
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health and well-being support
• Dining discounts and perks across our network of venues
• Career progression across Trippas White Group's national network of 150+ venues
  

If you're an experienced Head Chef ready to own a landmark new Canberra venue and lead its opening kitchen team, we want to hear from you!

Apply now – successful candidates will be contacted within 7 days.

Trippas White Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages Indigenous and First Nations Australians to apply.

Position description Apply now