The Illawarra Hotel is searching for a new head chef to lead our kitchen team!

We are excited to begin our search for a new head chef to help lead our small kitchen team towards an exciting future. With big plans afoot, an experienced food and beverage director in place, and some lofty goals ahead, this is an exciting time to come on board Wollongong’s country pub in the city.

We currently have an excellent and motivated core team of chefs, front of house, and management in place, so we are looking for a mature, level-headed individual who can come in, set new standards, and help take our food offering to the next level.

About You

On a personal level, we have non-negotiables of respect, inclusivity, clear and open communication, and a team-first ethos. We are looking for someone who enjoys coming to work, taking on challenges, and pushing things forward to make the Illawarra Hotel a workplace of enjoyment and progression. We look to hire the best people above anything else.

Professionally, we are looking for someone with solid experience at a senior, decision-making level at a venue that cooks from scratch and respects its produce. You should be confident in yourself and your abilities, not afraid to say, "I don't know, let me find out," and always looking for better, more efficient ways to do things.

About Us

As a historic Wollongong landmark, we feel a responsibility to the city and our patrons to provide great, country pub-style food using excellent and well-sourced produce at an affordable price point. We like to think we are a well-run organization that cares for and is fair towards its staff. This includes fair rosters and hours, on-time payment, clear communication of expectations and standards, and genuinely enjoying providing hospitality to everyone who comes through our doors.

Some Added Extras

We have a farm! We have a small but serious urban farm within walking distance from the pub that has the capability of providing a large chunk of the kitchen's produce.

We’re a pub, who doesn’t love a pub!

We are busy all year round. We all know that the odd quiet night can be a relief, but dead weeks for months on end are soul-destroying and motivation killers. We have consistent trade all year round.

We have a newly appointed food and beverage director with some serious hatted chef chops, who is kitchen-focused and here to help guide and assist you at every turn whilst allowing you to put your stamp on your kitchen.

Chef’s Choice is just across the road and has the best king prawn, red pork, and chicken laksa in town!

The Details

Hours: 38 hours per week for your base salary, and paid overtime for every hour after. We understand that as the head chef you sometimes need that flexibility week to week, so if you worked it, we’ll pay you for it.

Pay: $80k – $95k per year base salary + super, overtime & entitlements ($40.48ph - $48.07ph). This range depends on factors like your experience and ability.

How To Apply

Your resume: This does not need to be too flashy, just a list of the places you have worked, when you started and when you finished, someone you have worked with as a reference, and your contact details.

Your cover letter: This is a chance to show us who you are. Tell us a bit about you, some things you have achieved along the way, some things that interest you, why you think you would be a great fit with us, and a few thoughts on food and being a chef!