Head Chef

Bring your American BBQ experience to a busy, community-focused venue with a serious events calendar.

Springlake Hotel is looking for an experienced Head Chef to lead our kitchen team and take ownership of the food offering across a busy bistro, smokehouse and function operation.

This is a great opportunity for a chef with a strong background in American BBQ, smokehouse-style cooking and high-volume pub kitchens, combined with proven experience delivering functions, events and large-scale catering.

Our smokehouse offering features slow-cooked brisket, sausages and ribs prepared in our on-site smoker, alongside a strong range of pub classics and daily specials.

With multiple function spaces and the ability to host events of up to 400 guests, functions are a key part of the operation. From weddings and corporate events through to celebrations and BBQ buffets, we need a Head Chef who understands how to execute consistently at volume.

What you'll be doing

• Lead and develop a passionate kitchen team
• Take ownership of kitchen operations, food quality and presentation
• Drive the smokehouse and BBQ offering, bringing your own ideas and expertise
• Manage high-volume service across the bistro and functions
• Plan and execute menus for weddings, corporate functions, celebrations and large events
• Work closely with the Venue Manager and wider leadership team
• Manage food costs, labour, ordering, stock control and wastage
• Maintain strong food safety, hygiene and kitchen standards
• Develop and coach your team to build a strong kitchen culture
• Ensure consistency across every service, regardless of volume
• Bring creativity and commercial thinking to the ongoing development of the menu

What we're looking for

We're looking for a hands-on and commercially minded Head Chef who knows how to lead from the front.

You'll ideally have:

• Proven experience as a Head Chef or strong Sous Chef ready for the next step
• A background in American BBQ, smokehouse or meat-focused venues
• Strong knowledge of smoking, low-and-slow cooking and BBQ techniques
• Experience working in high-volume pubs, restaurants or similar environments
• Strong functions and events experience, including large-scale service
• Excellent leadership and communication skills
• A strong understanding of food costs, labour and kitchen financials
• The ability to remain calm and organised during busy services
• A genuine passion for food and developing a high-performing team

Why Springlake Hotel?

• Competitive salary + annual bonus of up to $20K paid quarterly
• Lead the kitchen of a well-established local venue
• Make your mark on a strong smokehouse and American BBQ offering
• Work across a diverse operation spanning bistro, sports bar and functions
• Opportunity to showcase your skills across large-scale events and functions
• Join a venue with multiple function spaces and capacity for significant events
• Be part of a supportive venue leadership team
• Opportunity to develop and grow the kitchen operation

If you're a Head Chef who loves BBQ, thrives in a busy environment and knows how to deliver exceptional food at volume, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply now and bring your expertise to Springlake Hotel.