Head Chef

Located a short walk from Circular Quay train, bus and light rail interchange, among the cobblestone laneways of The Rocks district in a quirky heritage building, you will find the delightful Sydney Harbour Hotel. Offering 176 rooms and a relaxed restaurant and lobby bar, we are located centrally offering a quintessential Sydney experience.

Why this role matters:

As our Head Chef, you will bring to life the magic of locally inspired, sustainably minded cuisine. Leading from the front, you'll guide the day-to-day direction of our kitchen, balancing creative flair with operational excellence. You'll manage food and labour costs, uphold safety and quality standard and mentor your team to deliver wonder-filled culinary experiences that excite our guests and elevate our brand.

You will:  

• Report to the Hotel General Manager and oversee kitchen operations for our restaurant
• Work collaboratively to ensure menus that are fresh, local and delightfully unexpected
• Foster and lead an inclusive, ambitious and high-performing kitchen structure.
• Develop and manage kitchen budgets
• Ensure kitchen hygiene and maintain relevant compliance
• Interact with guests to enhance the experience, gather feedback and elevate hospitality moments
• Propose ideas, enhancements and efficiencies to remain ahead of trends and guest expectation

What sets you apart:

You could be an ambitious CDP or Sous Chef seeking a culture where you can refine your craft and inspire others through clarity, collaboration and bold ambition. To be successful you will demonstrate:

• Some experience in leading high performing teams in a busy kitchen
• Expertise in food cost management, labor optimisation and kitchen operations
• A Commercial Cookery Qualification (Cert III and IV)
• A hands-on, empowering leadership style that builds capability and fosters collaboration
• A deep passion for culinary trends, local produce and sustainable practices
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to inspire your team and engage with guests
• Confident knowledge of kitchen systems and business software tools
• Composed leadership in high-pressure service environments, delivering solutions and inspiring others to embody a culture of excellence

Please note - we are seeking long term commitment for this position and are unable to offer a sponsorship arrangement.  

THE BENEFITS:

• A market leading 50% F&B discount across all Venues 
• $99 Room rates and a generous friends and family discount 
• Lifestyle benefits including extra leave and earth advocacy days 
• Green future - we are committed to enhanced sustainability practices   
• Dedicated Internal Mobility Programme and reward scheme  
• Online learning, career enhancement and development plans 
• Personalised employee support network  
• Regular service recognition and team events