Role Summary
The Kitchen Lead is responsible for running the day-to-day kitchen operation at % Arabica Bondi Beach, ensuring food is prepared, assembled and served consistently to % Arabica standards.
This is a menu-execution role within a premium café and takeaway-focused food operation. The menu direction and product development will be led by % Arabica HQ. The Kitchen Lead’s role is to execute the approved menu, manage prep, maintain hygiene standards, lead the kitchen team and coordinate service with front-of-house.
Key Responsibilities
- Execute the approved food menu to specification.
- Maintain consistent portioning, assembly and presentation standards.
- Manage daily prep lists, mise en place and service readiness.
- Control food waste, yield and stock usage.
- Oversee kitchen service flow and coordinate timing with FOH and baristas.
- Manage food safety systems, including temperature logs, allergen controls and cleaning schedules.
- Maintain FIFO stock rotation and assist with stocktakes.
- Raise ordering requests through Admin / Procurement.
- Supervise and support a kitchen team of approximately 5 to 6 staff.
- Train kitchen staff on prep, food assembly, hygiene, service standards and handover procedures.
- Maintain a clean, organised and compliant kitchen environment.
- Support WHS requirements, including manual handling, PPE use and incident reporting.
- Provide clear daily handovers to the Operations Manager and wider team.
Essential Requirements
- Proven experience in a café, restaurant or high-quality food-service kitchen.
- Experience with Japanese food preparation is essential.
- Strong understanding of kitchen prep, service flow and food presentation.
- Solid knowledge of Australian food safety, hygiene and allergen requirements.
- Ability to lead, organise and support a small kitchen team.
- Strong communication and time-management skills.
- Calm and organised under pressure.
- Comfortable executing a set menu to brand standards.
- Full weekend availability.
- Full and unrestricted working rights in Australia.
Highly Regarded
- Previous experience leading or supervising kitchen staff.
- Japanese language ability.
- Experience working with Japanese food in a commercial kitchen.
- Experience working in a premium café, specialty coffee, Japanese food or international brand environment.
- Experience in takeaway, grab-and-go or high-volume café food operations.
Pay: $58,582.41 – $90,156.30 per year
Experience:
- Japanese cuisine: 3 years (Required)
Language:
- Japanese and English (Preferred)
Work Authorisation:
Location:
Work Location: In person
