HEAD CHEF / SENIOR CHEF – MODERN VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT
Lotus Story Pty Ltd
Location: North Adelaide, South Australia
Employment: Permanent full-time
Hours: 38 hours per week, plus reasonable additional hours as required
Base salary: $80,000–$101,000 per annum, depending on qualifications and experience
Superannuation: Paid in addition in accordance with legislation
Occupation: Chef – ANZSCO 351311
About Lotus Story
Lotus Story is a modern Vietnamese restaurant celebrating Vietnam’s culinary heritage through regional flavours, cultural storytelling and contemporary presentation.
Located in North Adelaide, our menu brings together authentic Vietnamese foundations, refined cooking techniques and modern Australian hospitality. We are seeking an experienced Head Chef or Senior Chef to lead our kitchen and contribute to the restaurant’s long-term culinary direction.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be responsible for:
- Leading daily kitchen operations and maintaining efficient service across lunch and dinner.
- Developing and refining modern Vietnamese menus inspired by regional traditions.
- Preparing and cooking dishes to consistently high standards of flavour, presentation and portion control.
- Creating recipes, preparation lists, kitchen procedures and food-quality standards.
- Managing food costing, purchasing, stock control, wastage and kitchen labour.
- Planning kitchen rosters and allocating duties according to operational requirements.
- Training, supervising and supporting chefs, cooks and kitchen assistants.
- Maintaining food safety, hygiene, cleaning and workplace safety standards.
- Monitoring the quality of ingredients, preparation, cooking and presentation.
- Working collaboratively with restaurant management on menu development, seasonal promotions and business objectives.
- Ensuring the kitchen complies with applicable workplace laws, food-safety requirements and company policies.
Essential Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate:
- A relevant commercial cookery qualification, such as Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery, or an equivalent recognised qualification.
- At least four years of relevant experience in a professional commercial kitchen.
- Substantial experience at Head Chef, Sous Chef or senior kitchen leadership level.
- Strong practical knowledge of Vietnamese cuisine, including regional dishes, ingredients, preparation methods and flavour profiles.
- The ability to demonstrate this knowledge through previous employment, training, menu development or equivalent professional experience.
- Proven ability to lead a kitchen team, organise service, create preparation systems and maintain consistency.
- Experience in menu development, recipe standardisation, food costing, purchasing and stock control.
- Sound knowledge of food safety, kitchen hygiene and workplace health and safety.
- Strong communication, organisation and problem-solving skills.
- Availability to work a full-time roster that may include evenings, weekends and public holidays.
Professional experience cooking in Vietnam or in a recognised Vietnamese restaurant environment will be highly regarded but is not mandatory.
What We Offer
- A permanent full-time position with a competitive base salary.
- Superannuation paid in addition to the advertised salary.
- The opportunity to lead and develop a distinctive modern Vietnamese menu.
- Creative involvement in signature dishes, seasonal menus and culinary storytelling.
- A collaborative working environment with opportunities for long-term professional development.
Applicants should submit:
- A current résumé detailing relevant employment history.
- Copies of relevant qualifications.
- A brief introduction outlining experience with Vietnamese cuisine and kitchen leadership.
- Examples of menus, dishes or culinary projects where available.
- Contact details for at least two professional referees.
Applicants must meet the skills, experience and employment requirements applicable to the position. Employer sponsorship may be considered for a suitably qualified candidate, subject to the business’s requirements and applicable Australian immigration laws.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should send their résumé, relevant qualifications and a brief introduction to:
[email protected]
Please use the email subject:
Application – Head Chef / Senior Chef – [Your Full Name]
Pay: From $80,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
