Head Chef

"At Opal HealthCare, we know that companies don’t succeed - people do."That’s why everything we do is driven by our purpose: to bring joy to those we care for, guided by our values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence reflect that CARE is at the heart of everything we do.

Set among the tree-lined streets of Old Reynella, our 89 bed Care Community offers a welcoming atmosphere along with compassionate and personalised care. Our contemporary resort-style residence is close to the Old Reynella shopping centre and there’s easy access to public transport. With a lovely outlook over Winefly Park, our Care Community is an integral part of the local community

About the Role

• $38.59 - $45.71 (DOE) + 12% Super
• Permanent Full-Time opportunity

As Head Chef, you will be responsible for the day-to-day management of kitchen operations, ensuring meals are prepared safely, efficiently and to a high standard. You will lead and support a team of kitchen staff while working closely with clinical, lifestyle and care teams to meet the dietary, cultural and personal preferences of residents.

What We Offer

• Career development - Masterclasses, networking, and leadership pathways via our Opal HealthCare Academy
• Creative freedom - Design seasonal menus and create memorable dining experiences
• Sponsored study & training along with Scholarship opportunities of up to $15,000 for further education & training through local & national University, TAFE & RTO partnerships
• Employee Referral Program – earn up to $5,000 in incentives for inviting your friends to work
• Up to $5,000 referral bonuses for bringing a friend onboard
• A meaningful role where your work directly improves residents’ daily lives.
• Supportive team environment with clear communication and collaboration.
• Stable roster and family-friendly hours, depending on site requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, prepare and deliver nutritious, high-quality meals that support residents’ health and wellbeing.
• Develop menus that cater for dietary requirements, texture-modified diets, allergies, cultural preferences and resident feedback.
• Lead, supervise and motivate kitchen staff
• Maintain high standards of food safety, hygiene, cleaning and infection control in line with relevant requirements.
• Manage stock ordering, storage, rotation, wastage control and kitchen budgets.
• Work collaboratively nursing staff and management to ensure residents’ nutritional needs are met.
• Monitor meal presentation, portion control and service quality across all meals and special events.
• Support audits, compliance activities and continuous improvement initiatives within catering services.

About You

• Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery, Hospitality or equivalent trade qualification.
• Previous experience as a Head Chef or Senior Chef in leadership role
• Strong knowledge of food safety, special diets and kitchen compliance requirements.
• Excellent leadership, communication and organisational skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining quality and care.
• A genuine interest in supporting older people and creating a positive dining experience
• Ability to complete required pre-employment checks, including a police check and pre-employment medical.

Apply now to lead our culinary team with Opal HealthCare..