Chef

Position: Chef

Position Type: Full-time

Salary: $76,600.00 - $80,000

Location: 917 High Street, Thornbury, VIC 3071

Website: https://www.umberto.com.au/

Umberto Espresso Bar is a family-owned Italian café and restaurant located in Melbourne’s inner north, known for its authentic Italian hospitality, quality coffee, and homestyle cooking. Established as part of a long-standing family hospitality tradition, the venue reflects a strong Italian heritage, with a focus on genuine service, simple food made with care, and a welcoming community atmosphere.

Built on the values of family, hard work, and tradition, the business offers a relaxed yet vibrant dining experience, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a casual café-style setting. The menu features classic Italian-inspired dishes, fresh seasonal produce, and house-made items, complemented by specialty coffee and beverages. The venue operates maintaining a strong commitment to consistency, customer experience, and community connection.

We are seeking a skilled, motivated, and passionate Chef to join the kitchen team. This is an excellent opportunity to work in a fast-paced, creative environment where food is prepared fresh, quality standards are high, and attention to detail is essential.

Duties and Responsibilities:

§ Plan, organize, and oversee daily kitchen operations to ensure efficient service delivery and consistent food quality.

§ Prepare, cook, and present a variety of dishes in line with menu requirements, including breakfast, brunch, lunch items, pastries, and desserts.

§ Develop, cost, and update seasonal menus, ensuring alignment with customer preferences, food trends, and business objectives.

§ Supervise and coordinate kitchen staff, allocating tasks and ensuring adherence to standard recipes, portion control, and presentation guidelines.

§ Ensure all food preparation and service activities comply with food safety standards, hygiene regulations, and workplace health and safety (WHS) requirements.

§ Monitor stock levels, manage inventory control, and coordinate supplier orders to maintain cost efficiency and minimize wastage.

§ Train, mentor, and support kitchen staff in food preparation techniques, cooking methods, and kitchen procedures.

§ Maintain consistency and quality control across all dishes served, ensuring compliance with established recipes and standards.

§ Operate and oversee the safe use of kitchen equipment and ensure proper maintenance of the kitchen environment.

§ Contribute to recipe development, menu innovation, and improvement of food offerings to enhance customer satisfaction.

§ Resolve kitchen operational issues promptly to ensure smooth workflow and uninterrupted service.

§ Perform other duties consistent with the role of Chef

Skills and Qualifications:

§ Minimum 1 year experience as a Chef in a similar environment

§ Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery or higher qualification in Culinary Arts or Kitchen Management.

§ Strong knowledge of food hygiene standards, food safety regulations, and workplace health and safety (WHS) requirements.

§ Proven ability to supervise, train, and motivate kitchen staff in a professional kitchen environment.

§ Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced kitchen setting.

§ Well-developed culinary skills with attention to detail in food preparation, presentation, and portion control.

§ Effective communication and teamwork skills to ensure smooth coordination between kitchen staff and front-of-house operations.

§ Ability to maintain consistency, quality, and performance standards under pressure while managing multiple priorities.