Our client, The Sherwood Hotel Pty Ltd, is a vibrant, community-driven venue located in the heart of Lismore, NSW. Proudly positioned as a modern local with old-school charm, The Sherwood blends warm hospitality with bold pub classics, live entertainment, and a welcoming space for families, locals, and travellers alike.
With a focus on connection, quality, and conscious operations, The Sherwood is more than just a pub — it's a place where people come together to enjoy great food, honest service, and a genuine sense of belonging. Whether it's a gig night, a long lunch, or a relaxed Sunday session, the venue delivers experiences that feel good and do good.
As part of their continued growth, The Sherwood Hotel is seeking full-time Head Chef, offering a competitive salary of AUD 80-90K per annum plus superannuation, with flexibility for candidates who bring exceptional talent to the team. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a progressive hospitality venue where your skills and creativity will help shape memorable dining experiences in a down-to-earth yet dynamic environment.
SCOPE OF THE ROLE:
* Creating and updating menus based on seasonal availability, customer preferences, and cost considerations while ensuring high-quality food offerings.
* Overseeing food preparation processes, ensuring consistency, quality, and adherence to food safety standards.
* Managing kitchen operations, including inventory management, stock control, and ordering supplies to maintain adequate levels while minimising waste.
* Recruiting, training, and supervising kitchen staff, including chefs, cooks, and kitchen assistants.
* Implementing and enforcing strict food safety and hygiene protocols ensures compliance with health regulations and maintains a clean and safe working environment.
* Monitoring food costs, labour costs, and other expenses to meet budgetary targets and maximise profitability.
* Collaborating with management, front-of-house staff, and suppliers to coordinate operations, resolve issues, and ensure smooth service delivery.
* Staying updated on relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards related to food safety, hygiene, and employment practices.
* Fostering a positive dining experience for customers by consistently delivering delicious, well-presented meals and providing excellent customer service.
TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS ROLE, YOU SHOULD:
* At least 1-2 years of experience in a management capacity at the Head Chef level.
* Be willing to relocate if you are interstate or in other cities.
* Preferably have a relevant hospitality degree.
* Previous experience in high-volume hospitality, hotels, large venues, or event-based catering environments is highly desirable
* International culinary experience is strongly preferred, particularly for candidates involved in new restaurant openings or concept launches
* Proven ability to perform in fast-paced, operationally demanding environments
* Strong organisational skills and leadership capability
* Availability for evenings, weekends, public holidays and being able to work split shifts.
* Must hold valid Australian work rights at time of application
WHAT YOU'LL GET IN RETURN:
* Senior leadership remuneration package, negotiated in line with executive culinary experience and commercial responsibility, plus superannuation.
* Opportunity to lead the venue, with clear pathways to group-level roles and long-term career advancement.
* Authority to operate within a premium, fully resourced kitchen environment supported by established systems, modern infrastructure, and strong corporate backing.
HOW TO JOIN THE TEAM
Please submit an online application to join our diverse, compassionate and dedicated team for a rewarding career. Australian citizens and permanent residents are strongly encouraged to apply and will be given priority in accordance with labour market testing requirements and the objective of supporting the domestic workforce. Only successful applicants will be contacted.
The Sherwood Hotel is committed to an Australian-first employment strategy and a recruitment process that is fair, transparent, and strictly merit-based. Applications are assessed solely on skills, qualifications, experience, and role suitability, without regard to personal background.
Only where genuine recruitment efforts confirm that no suitably qualified or experienced local candidates are available will individuals with valid work rights, or those eligible for employer sponsorship, be considered, strictly in line with the Migration Act 1958, Migration Regulations 1994, and current Department of Home Affairs policy. Employer sponsorship is approached as a measure of last resort, reflecting The Sherwood Hotel's commitment to workforce integrity, regulatory compliance, and the long-term development of local talent.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $80,000.00 – $90,000.00 per year
Ability to commute/relocate:
* Lismore NSW 2480: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)
Application Question(s):
* Do you have a valid skills assessment related to the role? Please provide your skills assessment status
* Do you have a valid PTE/IELTS? If yes, provide each band score
* If you are a visa holder, provide your subclass and expiry date.
Experience:
* Kitchen: 2 years (Required)
Work Authorisation:
* Australia (Required)
Work Location: In person