Head Chef

At Lone Star Rib House, we pride ourselves on good old-fashioned hospitality with a smile, featuring impeccable food with “a taste that's bigger than Texas” and uniquely curated beverage menus.

Lone Star Rib House is a high-volume Texan-themed food and beverage restaurant and is currently looking to recruit a full-time, experienced Kitchen Manager / Head Chef to become part of our team. This is a hands-on leadership position with full responsibility for the kitchen and its day-to-day operations, with room for future growth.

The Kitchen Manager / Head Chef will control the kitchen but ultimately reports directly to the General Manager, who oversees the overall operation of the restaurant together with the CEO.

Be part of our Lone Star family today!

Bring your experience, organisation and passion for food, leadership and service.

The Role

• Take full responsibility and control of the day-to-day kitchen operation.

• This is a 5-day-per-week role working across a flexible roster. Applicants must be available for night shifts and have strong weekend availability.

• Produce quality, hot meals plated as per Lone Star Rib House recipes and procedures. As a franchise, menu items and recipes cannot be altered without Head Office approval.

• Lead the kitchen team by example and maintain high standards throughout service.

• Manage kitchen staff, including training, development, performance and day-to-day direction.

• Manage kitchen rostering and labour to achieve required wage percentages.

• Manage kitchen ordering, stock levels, stock rotation, deliveries and order reconciliation.

• Monitor food costs and maintain required food cost percentages.

• Complete monthly stocktakes and investigate stock discrepancies.

• Maintain portion control and minimise food wastage.

• Maintain prep levels across all sections and ensure the kitchen is prepared for service.

• Take control of the kitchen during service, ensuring food is produced accurately, efficiently and to a consistently high standard.

• Ensure all food safety, hygiene, OH&S and cleaning standards are maintained.

• Ensure staff are correctly trained in recipes, procedures, food safety and workplace health and safety requirements.

• Monitor and maintain kitchen equipment and report any maintenance issues.

• Communicate any issues relating to staffing, ordering, stock, food costs, wages, food safety or quality to the General Manager.

• Work closely with the General Manager on the overall performance and profitability of the restaurant.

• Handle kitchen-related customer complaints professionally and escalate to the General Manager where required.

• Assist the General Manager and wider team as required.

• Be flexible to work lunch, dinner and weekends.

You Are

• An organised and experienced Kitchen Manager / Head Chef who wants to lead a team towards excellence in food quality and service.

• A confident leader who can take full control of the kitchen and lead by example.

• Passionate about food quality, presentation and consistency.

• Commercially minded with a strong understanding of food costs, wages, stock control and wastage.

• A leader who enjoys training, mentoring and developing their team.

• A strong communicator who works well with the General Manager and wider team.

• A team player who is happy to assist where needed.

What You Will Bring to the Role

• Strong communication and organisational skills.

• Strong work ethic and a positive "can-do" attitude.

• Proven experience managing a busy, high-volume kitchen.

• Experience with ordering, stocktakes, stock control and food cost management.

• Experience with kitchen rostering and labour/wage control.

• Experience managing, training and developing a medium to large kitchen team.

• Strong understanding of food safety and OH&S.

• Ability to work under pressure and maintain standards during busy service.

• Minimum 2 years' experience in a similar role.

• Trade Certificate / relevant qualifications will be highly regarded.

• Char-grill experience is essential.

What's in It for You?

• A foot in the door with a national franchise with restaurants across the country.

• Competitive salary.

• Full responsibility and control of the kitchen operation.

• Staff meals on split shifts.

• Training and support.

• Opportunity for future growth.

• Free parking.

Employer Questions

• How many years of experience do you have as a Chef / Head Chef / Kitchen Manager?

• Do you have experience managing food cost percentages?

• Do you have experience managing kitchen wage/labour percentages?

• Do you have experience with ordering, stocktakes and stock control?

• Do you have experience rostering and managing kitchen staff?

• Do you hold a current Food Safety Supervisor Certificate?

• Do you have Char-grill experience?

• Do you hold a relevant trade qualification?