2x Chef – Blue Tongue Cafe
At Blue Tongue, food is about so much more than what’s on the plate. We create experiences that bring people together, build confidence, support wellbeing, and strengthen community connection. Through our Blue Tongue Pantry-Cafe, Catering Services, and Cooking School, we combine hospitality with purpose, delivering meaningful programs that support older Australians, people living with disability, and the wider community.
A key part of this role involves supporting the team at the Blue Tongue Pantry cafe bringing your speciality in pastries and cooking to a fresh and exiting menu.
We’re proud of our inclusive, values-driven environment where everyone belongs. Around here, we call it the ART of “villaging”—creating spaces where people feel safe, supported, connected, and empowered.
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Chef to join our commercial kitchen team. This position is responsible for planning, preparing and cooking high quality meals and pastries for the Blue Tongue Pantry-Café, catering operations and community programs.
The role requires a strong understanding of commercial kitchen operations, menu planning, food preparation techniques, quality control, food safety and stock management. The successful applicant will also contribute to the development of seasonal menus and support cooking demonstrations and educational programs delivered through the Blue Tongue Cooking School.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan, prepare and cook a wide variety of meals, pastries and baked products for café and catering operations.
- Determine food preparation methods, cooking techniques, portion sizes and presentation standards.
- Prepare specialised meals to accommodate texture-modified diets, dysphagia requirements, diabetic, gluten-free, low-sodium and other therapeutic dietary needs.
- Ensure all food is prepared to a consistently high standard of quality, taste and presentation.
- Monitor the quality of raw ingredients and finished products.
- Estimate food requirements and assist with purchasing, ordering and supplier liaison.
- Manage stock rotation, inventory control and minimise food wastage.
- Supervise food preparation activities and coordinate workflow within the kitchen.
- Train, mentor and support apprentice chefs, kitchen staff and participants involved in food preparation activities.
- Ensure compliance with food safety legislation, HACCP principles, workplace health and safety requirements and kitchen hygiene standards.
- Maintain kitchen equipment and report maintenance requirements.
- Assist in delivering cooking demonstrations, cooking school programs and community food education initiatives.
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of menus, recipes and kitchen operations.
- Supporting stock control and minimising food wastage
- Mentoring junior team members, participants, and program attendees
- Contributing to a warm, inclusive, and team-focused culture
- Upholding WH&S standards and identifying potential risks
Skills & Experience
- Three (3) Years Experience as a Chef de Partie or similar role
- Certificate III or IV in Commercial Cookery
- Dietary requirements including gluten-free, Lactose free and allergen-aware meals
- Food Safety Supervisor certificates
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills
- Organised, reliable, and adaptable approach to work
- Genuine passion for inclusive, community-driven environments
- Values-led mindset aligned with Accountability, Respect, and Transparency
What We Offer
- A supportive, inclusive, and purpose-driven workplace
- The opportunity to combine hospitality, education, and community impact
- A unique role focused on nutrition, wellbeing, and connection through food
- Opportunities for professional growth and creativity
- A team that genuinely lives its values every day
- A workplace where “villaging” isn’t just a buzzword—it’s how we operate
If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you. Please submit your resume and cover letter below. Suitable applicants will be contacted should they be shortlisted for the role.
Pay: $76,000.00 – $80,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
