Situated in the heart of Cowes, La Porchetta Phillip Island has become a much-loved destination for both locals and visitors seeking authentic Italian flavours and warm hospitality. We pride ourselves on creating a welcoming family-style atmosphere where fresh ingredients and traditional recipes come together to deliver memorable dining experiences for lunch and dinner. With a focus on consistency, quality, and friendly service, our restaurant continues to be a favourite gathering spot on the Island. We are currently seeking a passionate and skilled Chef to join our dynamic kitchen team. This role will suit someone who thrives in a busy restaurant environment, has a flair for Italian cuisine, and is committed to maintaining high culinary standards.
Chef – La Porchetta Phillip Island
Location: Cowes, VIC
Key Responsibilities
- Enforce and maintain strict hygiene, food safety, and workplace health and safety standards.
- Prepare and cook a variety of Italian-inspired meals, ensuring flavour, freshness, and timely service.
- Assist in training, mentoring, and performance development of kitchen staff.
- Collaborate with the Restaurant Manager and service staff to ensure smooth kitchen-to-table coordination.
- Order, manage, and monitor food supplies to ensure consistent stock availability.
- Share expertise by demonstrating cooking techniques and guiding junior staff on preparation and plating standards.
- Introducing creative specials and contribute ideas to enhance the dining experience.
- Estimate food, ingredients, and labour costs while ensuring budget efficiency and minimal wastage.
- Support the smooth operation of the kitchen during peak service hours with hands-on leadership.
- Supervise all stages of food preparation and presentation, ensuring dishes meet our quality and portion standards.
- Manage preservation methods such as proper freezing and storage of food items.
- Design, review, and adapt menus to reflect seasonal produce, customer preferences, and restaurant standards.
Qualifications & Experience
- Minimum of 1-year proven experience as a Chef in a busy commercial kitchen.
- AQF associate degree, Advanced Diploma, or Diploma in a relevant discipline.
- Strong understanding of Italian cuisine will be highly regarded.
Personal Attributes
We are looking for someone who is:
- Passionate about food and dedicated to continuous improvement.
- Organised and efficient, with excellent time management skills.
- Creative in menu planning and presentation.
- Team-oriented, with strong communication and leadership abilities.
- Resilient and adaptable, thriving under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
- Committed to delivering outstanding dining experiences for every customer.
Employment Type: Full-time (38 hours per week)
Salary: $75,000 – $85,000 + superannuation per annum
Why Join Us?
At La Porchetta Phillip Island, you’ll be part of a supportive and friendly team that values your skills and encourages career growth. Working with us means enjoying a lively coastal lifestyle while being an integral part of a restaurant that is truly loved by the community.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $75,000.00 – $85,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person