Head Chef – Be Part of Our New Venue Launch!

The Budgie Bar is one of the east’s leading hospitality venues — and we’re about to launch something new. We’re looking for a passionate Head Chef to help us create a brand-new menu and lead the kitchen for our upcoming food-focused space, alongside contributing to Budgie’s existing bar and events offerings.

This is your chance to build from scratch: menu design, kitchen setup, and creating exciting, cost-effective dishes that bring our vision to life. You’ll work closely with our General Manager and collaborate with our FOH and Bar teams to deliver something truly unique to the eastern suburbs.

Key points:

Kitchen opens first week of November – role must be filled prior.

Shifts available before opening for training, prep, and launch setup.

Creative freedom to design menus and offerings.

Leadership role: ordering, stocktake, team building, service.

Italian / European Cuisine Experience preferred but not required

Key Responsibilities:

Lead the creation and execution of a brand-new menu for our upcoming wine bar.

Develop offerings for our current cocktail bar and events program.

Manage ordering, stocktake, and kitchen cost controls.

Recruit, train, and lead a new kitchen team.

Prepare and cook high-quality dishes.

Maintain a clean, safe, and compliant kitchen.

Collaborate with FOH and bar teams to deliver exceptional service.

What We’re Looking For

Proven experience as a chef (or senior role ready to step up).

Background in Italian/European cuisine preferred but not essential.

Passion for food, creativity, and menu innovation.

Strong grasp of cost-effective kitchen management.

Excellent leadership, communication, and teamwork skills.

Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, service-driven environment.

What We Offer

A rare chance to create and launch a new venue menu from scratch.

Direct collaboration with ownership/management to shape our future.

A supportive, community-driven workplace with a strong local following.

Professional growth and creative freedom.

Join us, shape something new, and help launch the next chapter of The Budgie Bar.