Chef at Product of Italy Box Hill

About Us

Product of Italy – Box Hill is a well-loved Italian restaurant known for its authentic recipes, fresh ingredients, and a warm, family-friendly atmosphere. Serving wood-fired pizzas, fresh pasta, and classic Italian favourites, the restaurant has built a strong local following. We are seeking a skilled and dedicated Chef to join our passionate kitchen team and support the continued delivery of high-quality Italian cuisine.

Role

Product of Italy – Box Hill is seeking a qualified Chef to coordinate kitchen operations. The position involves planning, preparing, and cooking a variety of dishes, creating, and updating menus, and ensuring that all meals are produced to a consistently high standard.

The Chef will oversee the selection of ingredients, manage stock and ordering, and maintain a safe, organised, and efficient kitchen environment. Applicants must have strong culinary knowledge, the ability to work under pressure, and the leadership skills to guide a team while maintaining quality, efficiency, and compliance with food safety standards.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Planning and organising the preparation and cooking of food to support the efficient operation of Product of Italy’s kitchen during lunch, dinner and peak service periods.

• Preparing and cooking a range of traditional and contemporary Italian dishes, including pasta, risotto, antipasti, sauces, meat and seafood dishes, in accordance with Product of Italy’s recipes, menu specifications and presentation standards.

• Preparing ingredients and sauces used across the menu, including portioning proteins, preparing vegetables, cooking pasta, producing stocks and sauces, and ensuring all ingredients are ready before service.

• Contributing to the development and refinement of Product of Italy’s menu, including seasonal dishes, weekly specials and new Italian-inspired offerings, having regard to customer preferences, ingredient availability and food costs.

• Monitoring dishes throughout preparation, cooking and presentation to maintain consistency in flavour, portion size, texture, temperature and appearance across all services.

• Selecting and ordering fresh produce, meats, seafood, dairy products and other kitchen supplies, while monitoring stock levels, rotating ingredients and minimising food spoilage and wastage.

• Supervising and coordinating cooks, kitchen hands and other kitchen staff during food preparation and service, including allocating duties and providing guidance on cooking techniques, portioning, plating and kitchen procedures.

• Managing the timing and coordination of orders during busy service periods to ensure pasta, mains, side dishes and other menu items are prepared consistently and served promptly.

• Ensuring the proper storage, handling and labelling of ingredients and prepared food in accordance with food safety requirements and Product of Italy’s internal procedures.

• Maintaining high standards of kitchen cleanliness, sanitation and workplace safety, including monitoring cooking equipment, preparation areas, cool rooms and food-storage facilities.

• Training, mentoring and supporting junior kitchen staff in Product of Italy’s recipes, preparation methods, presentation standards and food safety procedures, and assisting with induction where required.

• Working collaboratively with restaurant management and front-of-house staff to manage customer orders, dietary requirements, menu availability and service priorities.

• Assisting management to control food and labour costs, reduce wastage, improve kitchen workflows

Skills and Qualifications

• AQF Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma or Diploma (ANZSCO Skill Level 2).

• At least 3 years of relevant work experience.

• Ability to handle busy service while ensuring quality of food is maintained.

• Strong leadership, organisational, and communication skills.

• Hardworking, positive attitude, and ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

• Flexibility to work weekdays, weekends, and evenings as required.

Australian citizens and permanent residents are encouraged to apply.

Salary: $78,000- $80,000