Join the Opening Team at Mimi Eatery
Build something special from day one.
Mimi Eatery is a brand new café opening in the heart of Bentleigh, just off the main shopping strip. Located within a brand new development featuring childcare centres, allied health services and professional office spaces, we’re creating a modern neighbourhood café focused on exceptional breakfast and brunch, quality grab-and-go food, and a welcoming space where great hospitality, a strong team culture and genuine community connection are at the heart of everything we do.
We’re currently building our entire team and are looking for passionate people to join us—not just to fill positions, but to help shape the culture of the business from the very beginning.
Alongside Mimi Eatery, we also operate 38 South, our established venue in Seaford, creating opportunities for career development and growth across both businesses as we continue to expand.
We’re Currently Recruiting
Kitchen
· Full Time Commis Chef
· Full Time Demi Chef
· Full Time Kitchen Hands (2 Positions)
· Part Time Kitchen Support (2 Positions)
We’re also recruiting Front of House team members as part of our wider opening team.
What We’re Looking For
Skills can be taught.
Attitude can’t.
We’re looking for people who are humble, reliable, hardworking and genuinely passionate about hospitality and the role they play within a successful team. Whether you’ve been cooking professionally for years or you’re still building your confidence, we care far more about your willingness to learn, your work ethic and the contribution you make to our culture than your current skill level.
If you enjoy being part of a team, take pride in your work, ask questions and want to improve every day, we’d love to meet you.
This is a kitchen where respect comes before ego. We believe the best teams are built on communication, consistency and supporting one another through every service. Every member of the team plays an important part in creating the culture we’re building.
Kitchen Hand Positions
Our Kitchen Hands are an essential part of the kitchen team.
The role includes:
· Pot washing and dishwashing
· Maintaining cleanliness throughout the kitchen
· General cleaning duties
· Assisting chefs with basic food preparation when required
· Receiving and organising deliveries
· Helping maintain a clean, organised and efficient workplace
This role is ideal for someone looking for stable daytime hospitality hours while gaining exposure to a professional kitchen environment. There will also be opportunities to develop basic cookery and organisational skills as your confidence and experience grow.
Chef Positions
Working alongside the Head Chef, you’ll be involved in producing high-quality breakfast and brunch dishes, cabinet food and grab-and-go items using fresh ingredients and modern techniques.
As our business grows, you’ll have opportunities to develop your skills in all aspects of the kitchen, including:
· Food preparation
· Service
· Quality control
· Ordering and stock management
· Menu development
· Leadership
· Kitchen organisation
We’re looking for people who want to build a career, not simply work another job.
What We Offer
· Brand new, purpose-built kitchen
· Daytime operation (approximately 6:30am–4:00pm)
· No regular night shifts
· Full-time stability
· Supportive and respectful team culture
· Genuine mentoring and development
· Opportunity to grow across both Mimi Eatery and 38 South
· Staff meals while on shift
· A chance to be part of an exciting new business from day one
Please note that operating hours may evolve as the business grows.
Salary
· Chef positions: Up to $70,000 per year (depending on experience and role), plus superannuation.
· Kitchen Hand positions: Competitive salary in line with experience and the Hospitality Industry Award, plus applicable penalties and superannuation.
Who Won’t Enjoy Working Here
If you’re looking for shortcuts, avoid responsibility or don’t enjoy working as part of a team, we probably aren’t the right fit.
We’re building a culture based on accountability, respect, consistency and pride in our work.
We’re looking for people who are excited to commit to the journey of building something special, not just looking for their next short-term job.
We’re looking for people who want to grow with us and are excited by the opportunity to help build something they’ll be proud of.
A Note from the Head Chef
I’m originally from the UK and have been a chef for almost 19 years. During that time, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside some of the UK’s most decorated and successful chefs. The knowledge, guidance and belief they invested in me have played a huge part in shaping the chef—and the person—I am today.
Having the opportunity to inspire the next generation of chefs, just as I was inspired throughout my own career, is both a privilege and a responsibility that drives me every day. It’s something I don’t take for granted.
I also understand the realities of our industry. The early mornings, long hours, pressure during service and the challenge of maintaining a healthy balance between work and life are things every hospitality professional knows well. It isn’t always easy.
Because of that, it’s important to me that we don’t simply come to work for a pay cheque. Life is too short for that. I want our team to come to work knowing that every service, every challenge and every new skill learned is an investment in themselves and in the future they’re building.
If you can promise to bring the right attitude, embrace our culture, support your teammates, take pride in your work and always strive to improve, then I promise I’ll be fully committed to helping you develop, supporting your growth and giving you every opportunity to succeed—not only in your career, but in life beyond the kitchen as well.
Together we’ll create a workplace built on respect, humility, hard work and genuine passion for hospitality. A place where people enjoy coming to work, continue learning and leave each day better than when they arrived.
We’re not trying to build the biggest team—we’re trying to build the right one. If that sounds like the kind of kitchen you’d like to be part of, we’d love to hear from you.
I can’t wait to meet you, and I look forward to building something truly special together.
Patrick Hukins
Head Chef | Mimi Eatery
Apply Now
If this sounds like the kind of team you’d like to be part of, we’d love to hear from you.
Tell us a little about yourself, your experience and, most importantly, why you think you’d be a great addition to our team.
Come and help us build something special.
Pay: From $55,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
