Head Chef

Located a short walk from Circular Quay train, bus and light rail interchange, among the cobblestone laneways of The Rocks district in a quirky heritage building, you will find the delightful Sydney Harbour Hotel. Offering 176 rooms and a relaxed restaurant and lobby bar, we are located centrally offering a quintessential Sydney experience. 

Why this role matters:

As our Head Chef, you will bring to life the magic of locally inspired, sustainably minded cuisine. Leading from the front, you'll guide the day-to-day direction of our kitchen, balancing creative flair with operational excellence. You'll manage food and labour costs, uphold safety and quality standard and mentor your team to deliver wonder-filled culinary experiences that excite our guests and elevate our brand.

You will:  

• Report to the Hotel General Manager and oversee kitchen operations for our restaurant
• Work collaboratively to ensure menus that are fresh, local and delightfully unexpected
• Foster and lead an inclusive, ambitious and high-performing kitchen structure.
• Develop and manage kitchen budgets
• Ensure kitchen hygiene and maintain relevant compliance
• Interact with guests to enhance the experience, gather feedback and elevate hospitality moments
• Propose ideas, enhancements and efficiencies to remain ahead of trends and guest expectation

What sets you apart:

You could be an ambitious CDP or Sous Chef seeking a culture where you can refine your craft and inspire others through clarity, collaboration and bold ambition. To be successful you will demonstrate:

• Some experience in leading high performing teams in a busy kitchen
• Expertise in food cost management, labor optimisation and kitchen operations
• A Commercial Cookery Qualification (Cert III and IV)
• A hands-on, empowering leadership style that builds capability and fosters collaboration
• A deep passion for culinary trends, local produce and sustainable practices
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to inspire your team and engage with guests
• Confident knowledge of kitchen systems and business software tools
• Composed leadership in high-pressure service environments, delivering solutions and inspiring others to embody a culture of excellence

Please note - we are seeking long term commitment for this position and are unable to offer a sponsorship arrangement.  

THE BENEFITS:

• A market leading 50% F&B discount across all Venues 
• $99 Room rates and a generous friends and family discount 
• Lifestyle benefits including extra leave and earth advocacy days 
• Green future - we are committed to enhanced sustainability practices   
• Dedicated Internal Mobility Programme and reward scheme  
• Online learning, career enhancement and development plans 
• Personalised employee support network  
• Regular service recognition and team events 

Crystalbrook Collection is an award-winning hotel development and management company, proudly showcasing Australia’s newest portfolio of distinctive upscale hotels, restaurants and bars where differences are applauded. In just seven years, we own and manage luxury hotel assets worth over AU$1 billion across NSW and QLD. Our growth trajectory continues with exciting plans for new hotels in Adelaide and Canberra during 2026 and continued ambitions for further expansion both domestically and internationally.