Head Chef – Motel Mexicana

Location: Ocean Street, Maroochydore
Employment Type: Full-Time

About Motel Mexicana

Motel Mexicana is a brand-new hospitality destination set to transform Ocean Street, combining three distinct venues under one roof:

The Lobby Bar – a fun filled front bar and dining room with live DJ's

The Laneway & Margarita Bar – an oasis to escape the ocean street hustle

The Nightclub – open friday and saturday nights until 3am

Our food celebrates the authentic flavours of Mexico, focusing on freshness, vibrancy, and creativity—not Tex-Mex. Guests can expect bold ceviches, slow-cooked meats, handmade tortillas, charred street corn, and share-style dining that complements the atmosphere across each venue.

Motel Mexicana will operate lunch and dinner, five days a week.

The Role

We are seeking a Head Chef to lead our kitchen operations and establish Motel Mexicana as a standout dining and entertainment venue on the Sunshine Coast. The successful candidate will bring both culinary expertise and strong leadership, ensuring a consistently high standard of food and service across all outlets.

Key Responsibilities

Design, develop, and deliver a modern Mexican-inspired menu with an emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients

Oversee all kitchen operations including service, food preparation, and plating standards

Recruit, train, and manage a motivated back-of-house team

Manage budgets, food costs, ordering, and supplier relationships

Maintain compliance with food safety, hygiene, and workplace standards

Work collaboratively with venue management and front-of-house teams to ensure seamless service and guest satisfaction

About You

Demonstrated experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef in a high-volume, fast-paced venue

Strong knowledge and passion for authentic Mexican flavours and techniques

Proven ability to manage kitchen operations and control costs effectively

Excellent leadership, team development, and communication skills

Strong organisational skills with the ability to perform under pressure

Motivated to contribute to the success of a new multi-venue hospitality concept

What We Offer

Opportunity to lead the kitchen in an exciting new venue on the Sunshine Coast

Competitive salary package and performance-based incentives

Creative freedom to shape and evolve the menu offering

Ongoing support from an experienced hospitality group

A dynamic and professional workplace environment