Camp Grounds – Head Chef
Position: Full-Time Salary Role
Reports To: Venue Manager (Matt)
Location: Tamworth, NSW
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About Camp Grounds
Camp Grounds is a specialty coffee shop and wine bar in the heart of Tamworth, blending daytime café trade with an evolving evening offering of natural/lo-fi wines, small plates, and community events. We're committed to shaking up the local food scene with approachable, nostalgic, and creative food concepts – from Modern Aussie breakfasts to creative twist on the aussie canteen tuckshop, and collaborative events with chefs and winemakers.
Our team is passionate, curious, and ambitious – and we're looking for a Head Chef to lead our kitchen into its next chapter.
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Role Purpose
The Head Chef is responsible for the leadership, creativity, and operational performance of the Camp Grounds kitchen. This role will develop menus aligned with our brand vision, manage a small but growing kitchen team, maintain quality and consistency across service, and deliver on financial targets for food sales, COGS, and labour efficiency.
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Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Development
* Lead, train, and inspire the kitchen team to consistently deliver food to Camp Grounds standards.
* Foster a positive, collaborative culture between kitchen and front-of-house.
* Mentor junior staff, with a focus on skills development and professional growth.
* Manage rosters and ensure efficient staff deployment across shifts.
Menu & Food Development
* Create, test, and implement seasonal menus for both day and night trade (breakfast, lunch, evening snacks).
* Design batch recipes and prep systems that work with Camp Grounds' kitchen equipment (Unox combi, sandwich press, etc.).
* Incorporate local produce and suppliers to highlight the New England region.
* Innovate and execute event-driven menus (e.g., Camp Fire Nights, Backyard BBQ series, chef collaborations).
Operations & Compliance
* Ensure food safety, hygiene, and compliance with all health regulations.
* Maintain kitchen organisation, cleanliness, and efficiency.
* Oversee stock control, ordering, and supplier relationships.
* Implement waste reduction systems and daily checks on prep, rotation, and best-before dates.
Financial Performance
* Deliver food GP targets (approx. 70%).
* Maintain labour efficiency, aligning kitchen wages to budget (approx. 10% of weekly revenue).
* Monitor daily and weekly sales performance, providing reports and insights to the Venue Manager.
* Work with leadership to plan menu pricing, promotions, and event budgets.
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Skills & Attributes
* Strong background in café/restaurant kitchens, ideally with both breakfast/lunch and small-plate wine bar experience.
* Ability to create simple yet memorable dishes that fit the Camp Grounds ethos of nostalgic, approachable fun.
* Excellent leadership and communication skills with the ability to motivate and manage a small team.
* Strong organisational and time management skills.
* Understanding of financials – GP, COGS, and labour control.
* Passion for local produce, community, and creativity in food.
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Qualifications
* Minimum 3 years in a Head Chef or Sous Chef position.
* Cert III/IV in Commercial Cookery (or equivalent experience).
* Food Safety Supervisor certification (required).
* RSA preferred but not essential (for events).
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Package & Conditions
* Full-time salaried position (38–45 hours per week, flexible around events).
* Salary package negotiable based on experience.
* 3-month probationary period with performance review.
* Opportunities for growth as Camp Grounds expands its food and event offerings.
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Why Join Camp Grounds?
At Camp Grounds, you'll have the creative freedom to shape menus, work closely with passionate wine and coffee professionals, and be part of a venue leading the hospitality culture in Tamworth. We're not just serving food – we're building experiences.