Chef

La Calabrese is a family-owned Italian restaurant in Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, serving authentic Italian cuisine including fresh house-made pasta, traditional pizzas and classic regional dishes, with ocean-view dining and function options
  
La Calabrese is now looking for an experienced Chef to join their kitchen team.
   
The right candidate will be responsible for:

• Preparing, cooking and presenting a range of Italian dishes in accordance with the restaurant’s recipes, menu specifications and presentation standards.
• Planning and contributing to à la carte and seasonal menus, incorporating traditional Italian flavours, quality ingredients and contemporary dining preferences.
• Coordinating food preparation and cooking activities to ensure dishes are produced efficiently and served promptly during busy lunch and dinner services.
• Monitoring the quality, flavour, portion size and presentation of dishes throughout preparation and service to maintain consistent standards.
• Checking the freshness, quality and suitability of ingredients and ensuring food is stored, handled and rotated correctly.
• Estimating food and ingredient requirements, monitoring stock levels and assisting with ordering meat, seafood, vegetables, dairy products and other kitchen supplies.
• Preparing dishes to accommodate dietary requirements, allergies and specific customer requests where appropriate.
• Supervisising and providing guidance to Cooks, Kitchen Hands and other kitchen staff to ensure consistent preparation, cooking and presentation standards.
• Maintaining food safety, hygiene and sanitation requirements throughout food preparation, cooking, storage and kitchen operations.
• Monitoring kitchen equipment, utensils and work areas to ensure they are maintained safely, cleanly and in good working condition.
• Controlling portion sizes, ingredient usage and food wastage while maintaining the quality and presentation expected by the restaurant.
• Working closely with kitchen and front-of-house staff to coordinate orders and ensure smooth and timely food service during regular dining, group bookings and functions.

About you:

• At least one year of experience as a Chef;
• Strong knowledge of Italian food preparation techniques, cooking methods and commercial kitchen procedures.
• Ability to prepare and present a wide range of Italian dishes consistently in accordance with established recipes and restaurant standards.
• Good organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple preparation and cooking tasks during busy lunch and dinner services.
• Sound knowledge of food safety, hygiene, sanitation and workplace health and safety requirements.
• Ability to monitor food quality, portion control, stock levels and ingredient usage to maintain consistency and minimise waste.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills when working with kitchen and front-of-house staff.
• Ability to supervise and guide junior kitchen staff and maintain consistent preparation, cooking and presentation standards.
• Strong attention to detail to ensure consistency in flavour, portioning, presentation and overall food quality.

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent;
Salary: $79,000 - $85,000;