Head Chef

Head Chef | Settler’s Tavern | Margaret River, WA

The Venue

If great food, great wine and a great lifestyle sound like your kind of combination, this could be the opportunity you’ve been looking for.

Settler’s Tavern is an award-winning, locally owned Bistro & Bar right in the heart of Margaret River. It’s a venue with a strong local following, a great reputation and a genuine focus on quality — from the food and produce through to one of the region’s best wine lists.

The food is at the heart of Settler’s Tavern — great local produce, thoughtful cooking and plenty of room for the kitchen to have some fun. With a mix of à la carte, functions and events, no two days are quite the same, and Margaret River’s incredible producers are right on your doorstep.

This is a role where you can genuinely make your mark. You’ll work closely with the Owners and Venue Manager, have plenty of creative freedom and be responsible for driving both the food offering and the kitchen team.

The Role

We’re looking for a Head Chef who loves being in the kitchen but also understands that running a great kitchen is about much more than cooking.

You’ll lead from the front — developing a strong team, maintaining high standards, working with local producers and suppliers, managing costs and making sure every plate leaving the kitchen is something you’re proud of.

You’ll have the freedom to bring your own ideas to the table, evolve the menu and create a food offering that suits the venue, the local market and the quality of produce available around Margaret River. Just as importantly, you’ll know how to balance creativity with the commercial side of the business — keeping the kitchen organised, profitable and running smoothly.

This is a hands-on role, but it’s also about building a great team and creating a kitchen culture people want to be part of. You’ll have a genuine voice in the business and be trusted to take ownership of the kitchen.

We’re after someone who takes pride in what they do, enjoys the buzz of a busy service and wants the opportunity to make a real impact in a well-established venue.

You’ll be someone who:

• Is a confident, hands-on Chef who loves good food and great produce

• Has the energy and personality to lead and develop a strong kitchen team

• Enjoys creating food that is interesting, considered and, most importantly, delicious

• Understands the numbers — COGS, labour, purchasing and kitchen profitability

• Takes pride in standards, consistency and presentation

• Is organised, calm under pressure and knows how to run a busy service

• Wants to build a team culture where people actually enjoy coming to work

• Has great communication skills and enjoys working closely with FOH and senior management

What we offer

• $120k + super + accommodation support

• A key leadership role in a well-established and highly regarded Margaret River venue

• Genuine autonomy and the opportunity to influence the food direction

• Access to some of the incredible produce and wine Margaret River has to offer

• The opportunity to build and develop your own kitchen team

• A great lifestyle in one of Australia’s best food and wine regions

If you’re a Chef who wants a great kitchen, a great lifestyle and the opportunity to really make your mark — we’d love to hear from you.