Cook / Chef

About Us

The Robinson Family Trust Pty Ltd (trading as The White Horse Hotel) is a hotel and dining venue in California Gully, Victoria, offering a varied pub-style menu. Its advertised dishes include classic pub meals, steaks, chicken parmigiana, burgers, pizza, pasta, seafood, curries, and children’s meals. We are seeking an experienced and reliable full-time Chef/Cook to assist with preparing and cooking meals across our varied hotel menu. The successful applicant will be comfortable working with a range of ingredients and cooking methods, maintaining consistent quality and supporting efficient lunch and dinner service.

About the Role

As a Chef / Cook, you will prepare and cook menu items to the hotel’s recipes, portion standards and food safety requirements. You will help organise daily preparation, maintain cooking stations and work with other kitchen and front-of-house staff during busy service periods.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook pub-style meals including chicken parmigiana, steaks, burgers, pasta, pizzas, seafood and other dishes featured on the hotel menu.
• Prepare ingredients and components for service, including vegetables, proteins, sauces, dressings, batters and garnishes.
• Use appropriate cooking methods such as grilling, pan-frying, roasting, baking, deep-frying and simmering, depending on the dish.
• Prepare and cook menu items such as roast vegetables, schnitzels, fish and chips, curries and pasta sauces in accordance with established recipes.
• Monitor cooking temperatures, timing, portion sizes and presentation to maintain consistent food quality.
• Set up and organise cooking stations and complete required preparation before lunch and dinner service.
• Check ingredient levels and assist with stock rotation, correct storage and inventory control.
• Reduce food wastage through careful preparation, correct storage, and portion control.
• Maintain a clean and hygienic kitchen in accordance with applicable food safety standards.
• Clean and maintain cooking equipment, utensils and preparation areas.
• Coordinate with kitchen and front-of-house staff to ensure meals are prepared and served promptly.
• Follow workplace health and safety procedures, including safe food handling and allergen management.

Skills and Experience

• AQF Certificate III in Commercial Cookery or Certificate IV in Kitchen Management, an equivalent relevant qualification, and/or relevant commercial cooking experience.
• Practical experience preparing and cooking a variety of Australian pub-style or bistro meals.
• Sound knowledge of ingredient preparation, cooking temperatures, seasoning and presentation across a varied menu.
• Experience with grilling, frying, roasting, baking and other methods used to prepare steaks, chicken, seafood, pizza and pasta dishes.
• Previous experience working as a Cook or a Chef in a hotel, pub, bistro, restaurant or comparable commercial kitchen.
• Ability to maintain consistent food quality, portion sizes and presentation.
• Good understanding of food safety, hygiene and workplace health and safety requirements.
• Strong time management and organisational skills, particularly during busy service periods.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a kitchen team.
• Flexibility to work across weekdays, weekends and public holidays as required.

What We Offer

• Full-time position at a hotel dining venue in California Gully, Victoria.
• Opportunity to prepare a varied menu of pub classics, steaks, pizzas, pasta, seafood and other bistro dishes.
• Supportive and collaborative kitchen environment.
• Salary of $80,000 to $85,000 per annum, excluding superannuation, commensurate with skills and experience.

How to Apply

If you are an experienced Chef / Cook with a background in pub, bistro or restaurant cooking, we welcome your application. Please send your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your relevant skills and experience.