About the role

Arlo is seeking a passionate Head Chef to lead its kitchen and deliver exceptional dining experiences at our restaurant in Portarlington, VIC. This is a full-time position where you will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of food preparation and kitchen operations. Arlo operates lunch and dinner Wednesday - Sunday. It is highly seasonal. Full inside during winter (30 seats), full everywhere during summer (100 seats). The food offering is a simple list of bar snacks, fresh homemade pastas and 1 steak option. Everything is made in house, we use premium produce, local where possible but we also buy from the boutique suppliers on the Melbourne market. Arlo has been open 18 months, it is doing very well and is now ready for a confident and hard working chef to lead us to the next level. The restaurant group includes another Portarlington restaurant Pier St and Melbourne wine bar Pastarami.

What you'll be doing

Executing a short menu of homemade pasta and bar snacks to a usually full restaurant

Running our Uber Eats operation

Manage and train the kitchen team to deliver fresh, delicious product

Oversee food preparation, presentation and portion control

Monitor kitchen operations to maintain efficiency, organisation and cleanliness

Hiring / training junior team members as we move from a 2 person team over winter to 6 over summer

Collaborate with the front-of-house team to ensure seamless service

Manage food costs and inventory to optimise profitability

Ensure compliance with all food safety and hygiene regulations

What we're looking for

A history of choosing to work in excellent venues with professionally run kitchens

Previous experience in head chef or sous chef roles with references that say you're driven, reliable and accountable

Excellent time management, problem-solving and leadership skills

Passion for using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients

Thorough understanding of food safety and hygiene regulations

Formal culinary qualification or training is highly desirable

What we offer

At Arlo, we are committed to providing our employees with a supportive and rewarding work environment. In addition to a competitive salary, we offer ongoing training and development opportunities, a collaborative team culture, and a range of employee benefits including staff discounts across our venues.

About us

Arlo is a vibrant restaurant located in the heart of Portarlington, offering a unique dining experience that showcases the best of regional Victorian produce. Since opening, we have established a reputation for our commitment to sustainability, seasonal menus and exceptional service. Join our passionate team and be a part of Arlo's continued success.

If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please apply now.