About the role
The Setts Mildura is looking for an experienced and creative Executive Chef to lead the next chapter of our food offering.
Our ambition is to create a menu recognised as one of the best in the region — attracting locals, visitors and destination diners alike.
This is an opportunity for a chef who wants genuine creative ownership. You'll have the freedom and support to shape the menu, develop a distinctive food identity and lead the kitchen, while working with ownership and management to deliver on quality, guest experience and commercial performance.
About The Setts
The Setts has been part of Mildura since 1893. Today, we're building on more than 130 years of history with a strong focus on great food, live music and community.
We actively support local musicians, artists, events and community initiatives while bringing touring acts and new audiences to the region. We're also proudly pokies-free, with our focus firmly on food, music, hospitality and community.
The Setts has a significant culinary history. The venue was once home to the award winning Black Stump Restaurant - our goal is to build on that legacy and once again make food a major reason people seek out The Setts.
Why Mildura?
Mildura is at the heart of one of Australia's great food and wine regions, surrounded by vineyards, orchards, farms, wineries and outstanding local producers.
It's an ideal place for a chef who wants access to exceptional regional produce and the opportunity to create food people will travel for.
What you'll be doing
- Leading the creative and operational direction of the kitchen
- Developing seasonal menus, new dishes and regular specials
- Balancing creativity and quality with food costs and profitability
- Maintaining consistently high standards of food and presentation
- Managing ordering, margins, suppliers and kitchen efficiency
- Sourcing quality local and regional produce wherever possible
- Leading, training and mentoring the kitchen team
- Collaborating with management on events and opportunities to showcase the food
- Helping build The Setts' reputation as one of Mildura's leading food venues
Genuine creative freedom
We want this menu to be your work.
You'll have significant freedom to introduce new dishes, develop seasonal concepts, experiment with specials and evolve the menu.
We're looking for a chef with ideas, experience and a point of view — someone who wants to put their own stamp on an established venue and build something they can be proud of.
What we're looking for
We're looking for an experienced chef who:
- Has the confidence and creativity to lead their own menu
- Is passionate about producing genuinely great food
- Understands food costs, margins and kitchen operations
- Can lead, train and inspire a team
- Values consistency, presentation and attention to detail
- Is excited by local, seasonal and regional produce
- Wants to build something they can put their name and reputation behind
What we offer
- Full-time Executive Chef position
- $80,000 + super
- Genuine creative ownership of the menu
- Support from ownership to develop and execute your ideas
- Access to outstanding Mildura and Sunraysia produce
- Opportunities to showcase your work through events and promotion
- The chance to shape the food direction of a venue with more than 130 years of history
The Setts has the history, the venue and the community around it. Now we're looking for a chef who wants to help write its next food chapter.
If you're an experienced chef looking for the freedom to create, lead and make your mark on an iconic Mildura venue, we'd love to hear from you. For the right candidate relocation reimbursement is also on offer.
Pay: $85,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
