Cafe Chef / Cook

We are a bustling neighborhood cafe in Clayfield looking for a passionate, reliable, and hands-on Cafe Chef we are in the process of upgrading from grab and go to a proper cafe where we will cook our own food. We are looking for someone to run our daytime kitchen and in the meanwhile help us set up and establish the operation whilst working with the current team in the existing cafe to understand the team and the area. If you love fresh breakfast, brunch and lunchtime fare, thrive during a busy weekend morning rush, and enjoy working in a collaborative, community-focused space, we would love to meet you. No late-night shifts required—just great food, good vibes, and solid daytime hours.

Key Responsibilities

• Service & Cooking: Prepare, cook, and present high-quality breakfast, brunch, and lunch dishes quickly and consistently during peak services.
• Daily Prep & Section Management: Manage all daily mis en place, prep schedules, and station set-up to ensure seamless service flow.
• Menu & Specials: Collaborate on seasonal menu updates, weekly blackboard specials, and dietary-friendly offerings (GF, vegan, vegetarian).
• Stock & Ordering: Monitor inventory levels, liaise with local suppliers, place orders, and maintain portion control to keep food costs on target.
• Food Safety & Hygiene: Ensure the kitchen strictly complies with Brisbane City Council food safety regulations, HACCP guidelines, and sanitation standards.
• Kitchen Cleanliness: Maintain station cleanliness, daily/weekly deep cleaning schedules, and correct equipment maintenance.

Requirements & Experience

• Qualifications: Preferred certificate III in Commercial Cookery (or demonstrated equivalent commercial kitchen experience).
• Experience: Preferred minimum 2+ years of experience in a high-volume Australian cafe or breakfast/brunch environment.
• Speed & Composure: Proven ability to work clean and fast under pressure while handling peak weekend breakfast rushes.
• Reliability: Punctual and committed to early morning starts (typically pen at 6:00 AM close at 4PM but other staff can assist with span of hours)
• Weekend Availability: Full availability to work rotating weekend rosters (essential for cafe operations).
• Food Safety: Current Food Safety Supervisor certificate (or willingness to obtain one).

What We Offer

• Work-Life Balance: No night services—finish by early/mid-afternoon every day.
• Creative Input: Direct input into daily specials and seasonal menu design.
• Great Culture: A supportive, tight-knit front and back-of-house team.
• Perks: Staff meals, great non-coffee beverages, and competitive award/above-award rates.
• Flexibility: we are establishing ourselves in the area as a go to place and we will welcome your assistance and your input as we turn the place into a first choice cafe.
• Salary: As the job is evolving we are happy to discuss the salary with any applicants.

Pay: $57,402.85 – $86,514.51 per year

Benefits:

• Free drinks
• Free food

Experience:

• Cafe or Restaurant cooking: 2 years (Required)

Language:

• English Fluently. (Required)

Work Authorisation:

• Australia (Required)

Work Location: In person