Head Chef - Theatre Restaurant, Newcastle/Hunter
This isn’t a kitchen. It’s a stage.
Flamingos Live is a heritage Art Deco theatre restaurant with over a century of history — and it’s in the middle of its most exciting chapter yet. Many will know this venue from its years as Lizotte’s, one of the Hunter’s most beloved live music dining destinations. We’ve carried that legacy forward and taken it somewhere new.
We don’t turn tables. We host live shows, theatrical dining experiences, and events that leave people talking for years. Our food is part of the performance - and we’re looking for a Head Chef who understands that.
The Role
Full creative and operational ownership of the kitchen. You’ll design menus, lead your team, control costs, and set the standard - reporting directly to the owners with a genuine voice in how the food experience evolves alongside the venue.
Our primary model is show-aligned dining: structured service, no relentless à la carte grind. Primarily Thursday-Sunday show nights with weekday prep. Busy periods are real and intense - but they’re predictable, and that’s a genuine advantage. We do host occasional showcase evenings that require à la carte capability, so versatility matters.
We’re hiring now, with an immediate start available.
What This Role Involves
- Menu design and seasonal development, with genuine creative freedom
- Kitchen leadership - rostering, team culture, and performance standards
- Purchasing, supplier relationships, and stock management
- Prep and service across show nights and private functions
- Waste minimisation, margin discipline, and food safety compliance
- Maintaining the standard of a kitchen we’re genuinely proud of
- We’re investing in proper kitchen costing infrastructure - you’ll have ownership of ingredient costings and batch recipes from day one, with support to get the system built out
What We’re Looking For
- Proven experience as a Head Chef, or a senior Sous Chef ready and hungry to step up
- Strong grasp of food costing, batch recipes, and margin control
- A collaborative instinct - you’ll work closely with a small, committed team and the owners directly
- Flexibility for evening and weekend shows, with some weekday prep and events
- Genuine passion for quality - we receive consistent compliments on our food and intend to keep earning them
- Someone who wants ownership, not just employment
What We Offer
- $75,000 - $90,000 depending on experience
- Real creative autonomy - you’ll shape the menu, not just execute it
- A venue with over 100 years of history and a story genuinely worth being part of
- Direct access to ownership and a voice in where the venue goes next
- A small, loyal team and a kitchen that runs on pride
- An environment that simply doesn’t exist anywhere else in Australia
How to Apply
Send your CV and a brief note on why this role interests you to [email protected]. Applications reviewed immediately - we’re hiring now.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: $75,000.00 – $90,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Free drinks
- Free food
Experience:
- Kitchen management: 2 years (Preferred)
Licence/Certification:
- Food Safety Supervisors Certificate (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
