Obsessed with ramen? Good. So are we.
Hai Hai is looking for a culinary leader who can take our obsession with ramen & izakaya and drive it to the next level.
As Head Chef, you’ll be the engine behind our flagship West End kitchen - leading the team, pushing creativity, and setting the standards that make HaiHai a cult-fave. This is your chance to build, innovate, and scale a brand that’s serious about growth.
What You’ll Do
- Run the flagship kitchen - own the pass, own the standards, own the systems.
- Champion quality - every broth, every tare, every topping consistent, from our 24-hour tonkotsu to vegan bowls.
- Lead & mentor - train and grow a passionate kitchen crew who live for ramen like you do.
- Innovate with freedom - create specials, evolve izakaya dishes, test ideas in our “West End lab.”
- Build for scale - refine processes, recipes, and costings so we’re ready for multi-venue growth.
Why HaiHai? (aka What’s In It For You)
We know top chefs have options. Here’s why this role stands out:
✅ Serious Pay - $90K–$110K + profit share + $10K retention bonus (12mnth).
✅ Creative Playground - real autonomy with izakaya & ramen specials.
✅ Growth Stage Role - shape systems + standards as we expand beyond West End.
✅ Legacy Opportunity - build a brand, not just a kitchen.
✅ Culture That Cares - no ego, no pretence, just soul food and soul people.
✅ Sponsorship Available - for the right chef, we’ll back you all the way.
Who We’re After
- Ramen master. You’ve run a ramen kitchen and know broth, tare, and toppings inside out.
- Business brain. You get COGs, wages, and how to run a profitable kitchen.
- Creative edge. You’re excited by freedom to push izakaya beyond “side dishes.”
- Natural leader. You train, mentor, and inspire - not just manage.
- Growth mindset. You want to step into an executive role as HaiHai scales.
Non-Negotiables
- Comulsory qualification in commercial cookery
- Minimum 1 year of experience as a chef
- Experience as a Head Chef
Don’t apply if:
- You’ve never run a ramen kitchen at a high standard.
- You don’t care about process, quality, or consistency.
- You want to just “hold a job,” not help build a brand.
Duties
Culinary and Menu Management:
- Developing and creating innovative and appealing menus, including daily specials and seasonal changes.
Kitchen Operations and Staff Management:
- Leading, training, and supervising all kitchen staff, including sous chefs, line cooks, and other food preparation workers.
- Assigning and delegating tasks to the kitchen brigade.
- Creating staff schedules and managing shifts.
- Hiring and firing kitchen staff.
- Fostering a positive and productive work environment.
Financial and Administrative Duties:
- Managing the kitchen budget and controlling costs, including food and labor costs.
- Ordering and maintaining inventory of food, supplies, and equipment.
- Negotiating with suppliers to ensure high-quality ingredients at the best prices.
- Minimizing food waste through careful supervision and management.
- Conducting regular inventory checks.
Health, Safety, and Quality Control:
- Ensuring that all staff adhere to strict health, safety, and sanitation regulations.
- Maintaining a clean and organized kitchen environment.
- Inspecting all food and equipment for cleanliness and proper functionality.
- Remedying any issues or defects in the kitchen.
- Overseeing the preparation and presentation of all dishes to ensure they meet the highest standards of quality, taste, and visual appeal.
- Testing and approving recent recipes.
- Ensuring the quality and freshness of all ingredients.
- Staying up-to-date with culinary trends and new cooking techniques.
About HaiHai
We’re a Brisbane ramen brand with cult status, born in Paddington in 2016 and expanded to our flagship in West End.
- Our ethos? Flavour without the fuss
- Our bowls are crafted, never copied
- Our izakaya dishes are built to stand alone, not just sides.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $90,000.00 – $110,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Profit sharing
- Visa sponsorship
Work Authorisation:
- Australia (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
📌 Head Chef
🏢 Hai Hai Ramen
📍 West End