About the Role
About the Employer
Our client is a brand-new modern Indian restaurant opening in Ashburton, in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. The concept blends authenticity with innovation—delivering refined Indian flavours, contemporary plating and a warm, neighbourhood-friendly dining experience. As part of the founding team, you’ll play a key role in shaping the kitchen culture, standards and menu from day one.
Role Overview
We are seeking an experienced Senior Indian Chef to lead production, develop and cost a modern Indian menu, and build a high-performing kitchen team. You will collaborate closely with the owners/management on menu launches, seasonal changes and service standards, while ensuring consistency, quality and efficiency at pace. This is a hands-on leadership role suited to someone who enjoys both cooking and building structure.
Key Responsibilities
• Plan, prepare and present modern Indian dishes to specification, maintaining consistent flavour, texture and presentation.
• Develop, cost and refine menus (including seasonal offerings and specials) to achieve target GP and brand positioning.
• Create and maintain recipe cards, prep guides and plating standards; ensure all team members follow them.
• Lead, train and mentor kitchen staff; set clear section responsibilities, SOPs, cleaning schedules and pass discipline.
• Manage inventory, ordering and stock rotation; monitor wastage and enforce FIFO and appropriate par levels.
• Uphold food safety and hygiene standards (HACCP), including allergen controls, temperature logs, cleaning and sanitation.
• Coordinate with management on menu evolution, R&D, tastings, events and opening timelines.
• Maintain an efficient, calm and organised service during peak periods; step into any section as needed.
Skills & Qualifications
• 5+ years’ experience as a chef specialising in Indian cuisine (modern and/or regional), ideally with experience in a leadership or senior role.
• Strong technical skills across modern Indian cookery: tandoor and roasting, regional gravies, marinades and spice blends, breads and contemporary plating.
• Experience in menu engineering and cost control, with the ability to balance creativity and commercial viability.
• Proven team leadership skills, including on-the-job training, performance feedback, and managing the pass.
• Excellent communication, collaboration and problem-solving; guest-first mindset and composure under pressure.
• Sound knowledge of food safety, HACCP principles, hygiene and allergen management.
• Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery (or an equivalent international qualification).
Additional Requirements
• Australian permanent residency or citizenship is required for this role (no sponsorship available).
• Immediate or short-notice start is preferred.
• Availability for evenings and weekends as part of a rotating roster.
• Willingness to support pre-opening tasks (setup, testing, training, soft launches).
• Two recent professional references; a police check may be requested.
Salary & Benefits
• Full-time position with a salary in the range of $80,000–$90,000 + super, depending on experience and capability.
• Founding role in a new, high-end modern Indian venue—direct input into the menu, systems and kitchen culture.
• Supportive, collaborative working relationship with ownership and management.
• Opportunity to grow with the venue and shape seasonal offerings and future developments.
• Work–life balance friendly location in Ashburton with a strong local community.
How to Apply
To apply, please email your updated resume to mahevish@theplacementvalley.com.au
with the subject line: “Senior Indian Chef — Ashburton”.
Please include:
• Total years of experience as a chef (and specifically in Indian cuisine)
• Your formal qualification(s)
• Your right to work status (PR/citizenship)
• Your availability/notice period
For more information about The Placement Valley and our current opportunities, visit www.theplacementvalley.com.au
or contact our recruitment team.
Please note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. This role does not offer visa sponsorship; Australian permanent residency or citizenship is required.
Requirements
We are recruiting a full-time Senior Indian Chef for a brand-new modern Indian restaurant in Ashburton (Melbourne’s eastern suburbs). This is a founding kitchen role for an experienced chef who can balance authentic Indian flavours with modern presentation, while building systems, standards and a strong team culture from day one.
What you’ll be doing:
Planning, preparing and presenting modern Indian dishes to specification with consistent flavour, texture and presentation.
Developing and costing menus (including seasonal menus and specials), and creating recipe cards, prep guides and plating standards.
Leading and training the kitchen team, setting section allocations, SOPs, cleaning schedules and pass discipline.
Managing stock, ordering and inventory; monitoring wastage and maintaining par levels using FIFO principles.
Upholding food safety and hygiene standards (HACCP), including allergen controls, temperature logs and sanitation checks.
Working closely with management on menu evolution, launch timelines, events and tastings.
Maintaining service efficiency and calm during busy periods, supporting across sections as required.
What you’ll bring:
5+ years’ experience as a chef specialising in Indian cuisine (modern or regional), with proven leadership exposure.
Strong command of modern Indian cookery: tandoor and roasting, regional gravies, marinades and spice blends, breads and contemporary plating.
Experience with menu engineering, GP/cost control and recipe standardisation, including training others to follow them.
Demonstrated team leadership: coaching, basic rostering understanding, performance feedback and managing the pass.
Excellent communication and collaboration skills with a guest-focused attitude and composure under pressure.
Solid understanding of food safety, hygiene and allergen awareness (HACCP-aligned).
Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery (or international equivalent).
Additional requirements:
Australian permanent residency or citizenship is essential (this role is not sponsored).
Immediate or short-notice availability preferred.
Willingness to work evenings and weekends as rostered and to support pre-opening setup tasks.
Two professional references; a police check may be requested.