Head Chef — BBQ & Smokehouse

We've got good cooks. We need a leader.

Peacemaker Saloon is a saloon bar in Braddon built on BBQ and bourbon. Over 100 capacity, line dancing Thursdays and Fridays, Best New Business award on the wall and Finalist Best Whisky Bar 2026. We're part of Splinter Group, which also runs Volstead Repeal and Devil You Don't.

We built a real BBQ reputation and we want to be the best in Canberra, we're hiring a Head Chef to get us there.

The job

You own the kitchen. Menu, standards, costs, roster, training, compliance. You're the single point of contact into the kitchen, when the food's wrong it's your call, and when it's right it's your build.

You get full creative control of the menu against a 35% blended food COGS target. You get the levers, so you get the number.

You'll inherit a strong senior cook who knows the pit and wants to stay on the tools. Around 80% of your time is Peacemaker; the other 20% is input into food across our other two venues, where the managers have asked for a chef's eye.

The week

The first 90 days are service-heavy while you learn the venue, then we can review your roster and dedicate a day to planning and operations as required. Menu development and operation are core to the role, so we'll support you with the time and resources you need. We're outcome focused.

Thursday to Saturday is loud, full and fast. You need to want that.

The kit

Traegers, combi oven, heated holding cabinet, overnight unattended cook. Ideas on running it better are welcome.

You

• Have run a kitchen, or you're a senior sous ready to
• Set standards and hold people to them
• Know your GP, your ordering and your waste
• BBQ experience is a bonus, not a requirement — but you need to actually care about brisket

What's in it

$80,000–$95,000 + super. Genuine creative control. Title flexibility, for the right person this can be Group Executive Chef. Sponsorship considered.

Owners in their 20s and 30s who pick up the phone.

Process: interview, second conversation about your approach, then a paid trial. Start date negotiable - we know you owe notice.

Apply with a CV and a couple of lines on the best thing you've ever cooked.

Pay: $80,000.00 – $95,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Free drinks
• Professional development assistance
• Visa sponsorship

Work Location: In person