Head Chef Italian jobs in Balmain NSW

Head Chef – New Toby’s Estate Coffee & Cocktail Venue

George Street, Sydney | Full-Time | Flexible Roster

Shape the Menu. Inspire the Team. Make Your Mark.

Toby’s Estate is bringing a new hospitality experience to George Street, combining specialty coffee, creative cocktails and a food offering designed to complement both.

We’re looking for an experienced, hands-on Head Chef to lead our kitchen from opening and beyond, taking ownership of the menu, kitchen operations and the development of a small, capable team.

Our food offering will bring together convenient morning café options and a considered selection of small plates and bar food. We’re drawn to a mezze-inspired approach, with a focus on flavour, quality ingredients and a menu that works seamlessly alongside our drinks offering.

This is an opportunity to deliver a new concept, with the creative freedom to develop a distinctive menu while making smart use of a compact kitchen.

About the Role

We operate seven days a week, with evening trade on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The kitchen will run throughout the venue’s trading hours, requiring strong planning, preparation and communication across day and night service.

You’ll be supported by the wider Toby’s Estate Group upper management team, with direct access to the Group Executive Chef for guidance, collaboration and support in developing and maintaining a high-performing kitchen operation.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading and developing the kitchen team, including the Sous Chefs and Kitchen Hands.
• Creating and executing a menu suited to morning café trade, small plates and evening bar service.
• Developing dishes that make smart use of shared ingredients, minimise waste and maximise a compact prep and storage space.
• Maintaining consistent food quality, presentation and service standards across all trading periods.
• Establishing effective preparation systems, kitchen procedures and daily handovers between chefs.
• Managing ordering, stock control, food costs, portioning and wastage.
• Maintaining excellent food safety, hygiene and kitchen organisation.
• Working closely with the Venue Manager and wider leadership team to deliver a cohesive guest experience.

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience as a Head Chef.
• Experience leading a small, high-output kitchen with a hands-on approach.
• Strong menu development skills and an understanding of shared plates, mezze or contemporary bar food.
• A creative, adaptable and commercially minded approach to working with limited space and resources.
• Excellent organisation, preparation planning and time management.
• Strong food safety knowledge and sound kitchen cost-control practices.
• The ability to lead a team while maintaining standards through clear communication and structured handovers.
• A calm, collaborative approach and the ability to perform under pressure.

The Opportunity

• Full-time employment with a flexible roster across a seven-day operation.
• The opportunity to build a kitchen operation from opening.
• Creative input into a new menu and food concept.
• A compact, focused kitchen with an emphasis on quality, efficiency and thoughtful menu design.
• The opportunity to work alongside an experienced hospitality leadership team at a new George Street destination.

If you're a chef who combines creativity with strong operational thinking and enjoys building something from the ground up, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply now to be part of the Toby’s Estate George Street opening team.

Pay: $85,000.00 – $95,000.00 per year

Application Question(s):

• Food Safety Supervisor

Experience:

• Chef: 4 years (Required)

Work Authorisation:

• Australia (Required)

Work Location: In person