Position: Café Chef

Location: Melbourne, VIC

Employment Type: Full-Time

About Us:

Manchester Press Café is a café / restaurant in Melbourne's CBD, famous for its artisanal bagels, specialty coffee, and vibrant brunch menu. We pride ourselves on delivering high-quality food with innovative flavors in a fast-paced, welcoming environment.

Job Overview:

We are seeking an experienced Café / restaurant Chef to lead our kitchen team and ensure the consistent preparation of high-quality dishes. The ideal candidate is passionate about café-style cuisine, creative with menu development, and skilled in managing kitchen operations efficiently.

Key Responsibilities:

Food Preparation & Cooking

Prepare and cook café-style dishes, including bagels, brunch plates, and specialty items.

Ensure consistency in food quality, taste, and presentation.

Maintain kitchen speed and efficiency during peak service hours.

Menu Development & Innovation

Work with management to update and refine the café's menu.

Introduce new seasonal dishes and creative bagel toppings.

Stay up to date with food trends and dietary preferences (e.g., vegan, gluten-free options).

Kitchen Management & Operations

Oversee daily kitchen operations, ensuring smooth service and efficiency.

Supervise and train kitchen staff, fostering a positive team culture.

Manage stock levels, place ingredient orders, and control food costs.

Food Safety & Hygiene

Follow food safety and hygiene regulations, including HACCP compliance.

Maintain a clean and organized kitchen environment.

Conduct regular kitchen inspections to ensure health and safety standards are met.

Collaboration & Communication

Work closely with front-of-house staff to ensure timely service.

Communicate effectively with suppliers to source fresh, high-quality ingredients.

Address customer feedback to improve food quality and service.

Skills & Experience Required:

Essential Skills:

Strong knowledge of café-style cuisine, brunch dishes, and bagel-based menus.

Proficiency in food preparation, cooking techniques, and plating.

Ability to manage a fast-paced kitchen with high customer turnover.

Leadership and team management skills to train and supervise staff.

Excellent time management, organization, and multitasking abilities.

Knowledge of food safety regulations and HACCP procedures.

Experience:

2-3 years of experience in a café, brunch, or casual dining setting.

Prior experience as a Sous Chef, Head Chef, or Café Chef preferred.

Culinary qualification (Certificate III/IV in Commercial Cookery) is mandatory.

Food Safety Supervisor certification

Experience managing kitchen operations, stock control, and cost management.

Must have the right to work in Australia

Availability to work weekends and public holidays is essential

Ability to work early morning shifts (starting from 6:00 AM)

What We Offer:

✅ Competitive salary based on experience
✅ A dynamic and friendly work environment
✅ Opportunities for career growth and menu development
✅ Full time working hours

If you have a passion for café cuisine and thrive in a fast-paced environment, we'd love to hear from you!

📩 To Apply: Send your resume and a brief cover letter to [email protected] or drop by Manchester Press Café.