Chef

About Rocksalt

Rocksalt is an established Brighton restaurant offering quality food and professional service in a busy dining environment. The venue operates seven days a week and maintains high standards of food quality, presentation and kitchen operations.

About the Role

We are seeking a qualified and experienced Chef to join our full-time kitchen team. The successful candidate will prepare and cook menu items, maintain food quality and safety standards, and support menu planning, stock control and daily kitchen operations.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Plan, organise and assist with the preparation and cooking of food for a busy restaurant environment.
• Prepare, season, cook and present high-quality dishes in accordance with menu specifications, recipes, portion standards and presentation requirements.
• Plan menus and contribute to menu development, including estimating food and labour costs, portion control, seasonal ingredient use and operational suitability.
• Order food supplies, monitor stock levels, check deliveries and support inventory management to maintain efficient kitchen operations.
• Monitor the quality of dishes at all stages of preparation and presentation to ensure consistency, freshness, flavour, correct temperature and visual appeal.
• Discuss food preparation, service timing, dietary requirements, allergen matters and operational issues with management, kitchen staff and front-of-house staff.
• Demonstrate cooking techniques, advise junior staff on cooking procedures and support consistent preparation standards across the kitchen.
• Supervise and train kitchen staff where required, including supporting cooks, apprentices, kitchen hands and other kitchen attendants during preparation and service.
• Explain, apply and enforce food safety, hygiene and workplace health and safety procedures, including cleaning, storage, temperature control, stock rotation and allergen awareness.
• Coordinate kitchen workflow during service, maintain section readiness and assist with managing high-pressure service periods.
• Support food cost control, waste reduction and efficient use of ingredients while maintaining quality and presentation standards.
• Freeze, store and preserve food items where required in line with food safety procedures, venue standards and manufacturer requirements.
• Maintain clean, organised and compliant work areas, equipment and storage areas before, during and after service.
• Contribute to a positive kitchen culture by communicating professionally, following venue procedures and assisting with continuous improvement in kitchen operations.

Selection Criteria

• Relevant commercial cookery qualification, such as Certificate IV in Kitchen Management, Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery, Diploma of Hospitality Management or an equivalent qualification.
• At least one year of relevant experience as a Chef or in a comparable commercial kitchen role within a restaurant, cafe, hotel, dining venue or high-volume hospitality environment.
• Strong technical cooking ability, including preparation, seasoning, cooking, plating, portion control and quality control.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare dishes consistently in accordance with menu specifications, venue standards and customer expectations.
• Sound knowledge of food safety, hygiene, allergen management, stock rotation, temperature control and commercial kitchen compliance requirements.
• Ability to supervise, guide, train and communicate effectively with kitchen and front-of-house staff.
• Ability to work under pressure, maintain consistency and meet service deadlines in a busy kitchen environment.
• Availability to work a rotating roster, including mornings, evenings, weekends and public holidays as required by the venue.

Skills and Attributes

• Professional presentation and strong work ethic.
• Reliable, organised and able to manage competing kitchen priorities.
• Strong attention to detail in preparation, cooking and presentation.
• Team-focused approach with the ability to support a positive kitchen culture.
• Commitment to quality, consistency, food safety and continuous improvement.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work cooperatively with management, kitchen staff and front-of-house staff.

Why Join Rocksalt?

• Work with an established Brighton restaurant located on Bay Street.
• Join a professional kitchen and management team with clear service standards.
• Develop skills across restaurant preparation, service operations, menu execution and kitchen coordination.
• Competitive salary package of AUD $79,500 – $85,000 plus superannuation.
• Full-time role with stable work opportunities in a busy seven-day hospitality venue.

How to Apply

Please submit your current resume and a brief cover letter outlining your relevant chef experience, qualifications, cuisine background, kitchen responsibilities and availability.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview. Rocksalt considers applications based on relevant skills, experience, qualifications and suitability for the role.