About the Role
This is a special and unique opportunity for an experienced, talented, passionate, and career-focussed chef with strong leadership and cooking skills. This hands-on role is responsible for leading all culinary operations at Victor Churchill Armadale. ensuring the venue maintains its reputation as a world-class destination for exceptional dining and craftsmanship.
This is a leadeship role demanding precision, creativity, and operational excellence. The Head Chef will oversee all aspects of food production, from menu innovation and ingredient sourcing to team leadership and cost control. The position requires a balance of hands-on kitchen mastery with strategic management to ensure every plate reflects the brand's uncompromising standards of quality and presentation.
The successful candidate will drive continuous improvement, uphold culinary artistry, and ensure Victor Churchill remains at the forefront of the global restaurant landscape.
Victor Churchill is an industry leader through our excellent supplier relationships and commitment to the very best quality seasonal produce and ingredients. And the built environment is world class.
About Victor Churchill
Established in 1876, Victor Churchill is Australia's oldest continually run butcher shop, dating back to the Churchill family and after which the store draws half its name. The other half of name belongs to Victor Puharich, a fourth-generation butcher who emigrated to Australia in the 1970s.
In 2009, his son Anthony opened Victor Churchill Woollahra as a gift to his father. Ultimately, tradition and family history define the boutique butchery.
Victor Churchill Melbourne is unlike our Woollahra store - Victor Churchill on High St Armadale is not only a butcher store, but an interative and intimate bar and dining space, serving classic European cuisine in a stunning environment.
Tasks to be performed:
- Lead daily kitchen operations, ensuring excellence in food preparation, quality, presentation, and service consistency.
- Oversee production across all stations, ensuring consistency in texture, flavour, and visual appeal.
- oversee and participate in key service periods to guide technique, timing and plating standards.
- Maintain precise kitchen standards aligned with Victor Churchill's brand identity and culinary philosophy.
- Oversee scheduling, task allocation, and labour management in line with operational budgets.
- Manage supplier relationships, inventory, and stock control to achieve optimal food cost outcomes.
- Ensure seamless communication between front-of-house, operations, and management teams.
- Design, test, and refine menus that celebrate the artistry of butchery and fine dining.
- Drive innovation through seasonal and experiential offerings that reinforce Victor Churchill's market leadership.
- Collaborate with the Operations Manager and Executive Team on the menu pricing, product launches, and promotional events.
- Ensure the integration of premium ingredients, sustainability, and craftsmanship across all dishes.
- Recruit, train, advise, mentor, and manage kitchen staff, building a cohesive, high-performing culinary team.
- Coach team members in advanced techniques, ensuring consistency in preparation methods and execution.
- Set clear expectations for discipline, professionalism, and any performance issues.
- Foster a culture of respect, accountability, and passion for culinary excellence.
- Support succession planning by identifying and developing emerging culinary talent.
- Compliance, safety and hygiene.
- Cost Control and Financial Management.
The Skills you have:
- Minimum 10 years' experience in fine dining or premium restaurant kitchens, with at least 5 years in a Head Chef or Sous Chef role.
- Proven ability to lead a large, diverse kitchen team in a high-pressure environment.
- Deep knowledge of classical and modern cooking techniques.
- Strong financial literacy in food cost, labour cost, and operational budgeting.
- Expertise in supplier management, menu design, and costed recipe development.
- Advanced knowledge of HACCP, WHS, and food safety compliance.
- Exceptional communication, leadership, and organisational skills.
The Opportunity:
- A trusted and reknowned brand - thrive in a fast paced, dynamic environment with a passion and obsession for working with the finest and best ingredients in Australia.
- An established quality food and beverage offering - 1 Chef's Hat 2023-2026 and listed on World's Best Steak Restaurants.
- Lead and develop a strong team with autonomy.
- Work with the leadership team to implement ongoing and defining improvements and growth.
- Maintain and build excellent supplier relationships, accessing the best and freshest produce.
- An attractive salary and generous team discount program.
- An encouraging environment of shared knowledge and support.
Working Conditions and Benefits:
- Full timerole for a long-term engagement - top be challenged, and to grow and be rewarded.
- A team driven to provide the best quality experience for our customers.
- Generous remuneration above industry benchmarks.
- Staff discount across retail and dining.
- State of the art kitchen and workplace.
The Ideal Candidates
- Formal culinary qualifications(Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery or equivalent).
- Experience in luxury or world-renowned restaurant operations.
- Exposure to media, events, and brand representation.
- Passion for continuous learning, sustainability, and culinary innovation.
How to apply
Please hit the Apply button. All applications in confidence. Only successful applicants will be contacted.
Victor Churchill is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability and other legally protected characteristics.
Pay: $100,000.00 – $115,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
