Food & Beverage Head Cook

She's back! Be part of something extraordinary at Sydney’s most iconic aquatic and leisure facility.

This is your chance to dive in and be part of the next chapter at North Sydney Olympic Pool - a world-class aquatic and fitness destination beneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Following her redevelopment, this Australian legend is set to redefine leisure industry excellence, and we’re seeking passionate individuals to help shape the culture and deliver outstanding experiences for our community.

North Sydney Council proudly owns and operates North Sydney Olympic Pool as part of its commitment to the vibrant North Sydney local government area on the city’s picturesque lower North Shore. With around 400 employees supporting 77,000 residents across 10 square kilometres of harbourside land, Council is committed to creating exceptional places and services that bring people together. You’ll join a dedicated team working in a safe, inclusive environment — where both staff and the community can thrive.

Are you a people-focused food and beverage professional who thrives in a team environment and takes pride in delivering exceptional customer experiences?

The role

We are currently seeking 1 x Full-Time Food and Beverage Head Cook to join the newly redeveloped North Sydney Olympic Pool team.

The role is responsible for leading kitchen operations for the Café and Gelato Bar at North Sydney Olympic Pool. The role oversees food production, menu planning, seasonal menu development and stock management while ensuring high standards of food quality, safety and operational efficiency.

This is a unique and exciting opportunity to be part of one of Sydney’s most iconic destinations, working within a fun, inclusive, and supportive team environment.

The Cafe opening hours we are working on are:

• Monday - Friday 6.30am to 7.30pm
• Saturday - Sunday 6.30am to 6.30pm
• Public Holidays: 8.30am to 5.00pm
• Closed on Easter Friday, Easter Sunday, and Christmas Day

The person

We’re looking for a Head Cook who brings strong leadership, positivity, and a solutions-focused, safety first approach to every aspect of the kitchen. In this role you will lead and inspire your team to deliver exceptional food and service, ensuring the Café and Gelato Bar consistently presents its best. You will set the tone for a collaborative and welcoming kitchen environment, driving high standards in food quality, presentation, and efficiency – so every guest enjoys a seamless and memorable dining experience from start to finish.

When you join North Sydney Council, you become part of a team dedicated to delivering a wide range of high-quality services to residents and the broader community. Our goal is to ensure the revitalised North Sydney Olympic Pool meets these same high standards – offering an outstanding facility where the customer experience is valued just as highly as the breathtaking views.

In this role, you will:

• Develop and review café menu items in collaboration with venue management, monitoring seasonal produce availability and adjusting menus accordingly.
• Evaluate menu performance and introduce new items to optimise sales and customer satisfaction, ensuring recipes and portion controls are documented and followed.
• Provide leadership, on the job training, guidance and support to kitchen staff, whilst coordinating kitchen workflow during service periods.
• Prepare and cook menu items to a high standard and ensure consistent food quality and presentation.
• Ensure compliance with NSW Food Act, food safety standards and Council policies, maintaining safe food handling practices, monitoring food storage, temperature controls, hygiene standards and maintaining food safety documentation and records.
• Monitor stock levels and manage ordering of ingredients and kitchen supplies in conjunction with Food and Beverage Supervisors, maintaining stock rotation to minimise wastage.
• Ensure kitchen is properly set up for service and oversee closing procedures and cleaning standards.
• Support Café operations during peak periods and liaise with Food and Beverage Supervisors regarding operational issues and identifying opportunities for menu improvements.
• Deliver high-quality customer service by ensuring food is prepared and presented to established standards, supporting a positive dining experience for all customers.
• Receive and respond to objective customer feedback and complaints relating to food quality in a professional, courteous, and solutions-focused manner, escalating issues where required.
• Assist in recruitment activities including shortlisting, interviewing and onboarding of hospitality staff.
• Contribute to a collaborative, respectful team culture.
• Take pride in serving the community and making a positive impact every day.

If you’re passionate about helping others, love working in a vibrant community setting, and have a flair for customer service, we’d love to hear from you!

Essential Criteria

• Demonstrated experience in a commercial kitchen environment
• Experience in menu planning or development
• NSW Food Safety Supervisor (FSS) qualifications including knowledge of food safety and kitchen hygiene practices
• Ability to supervise and guide kitchen staff
• Ability to work efficiently during high volume service periods
• Demonstrated experience in a fast-paced customer service environment with a passion and commitment to providing friendly and welcoming service standards
• Flexible to work across a seven (7) day week operation with morning shifts starting from 6:00am and closing shifts finishing at 8:00pm.
• Be able to satisfy the requirements of the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012 and Child Protection (Working with Children) Regulations 2013 and provide a current NSW Working with Children Check clearance; and adhere to Workplace Health and Safety requirements.
• National Police clearance.

Desirable Criteria

• Certificate III in Commercial Cookery or equivalent qualification
• Experience in café or fast-casual hospitality environments.
• Vaccinated against COVID-19.

Why work at NSC?

We're committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and positive workplace. Our teams are reflective of the communities in which we operate, and we value the unique contribution each member makes to the North Sydney Council. The work we do makes a real difference to the lives of our residents and contributes to their economic and social wellbeing.

Through North Sydney Council and NSOP, permanent staff have their essential training and recertification paid for. Staff also have access to a range of resources and opportunities for staff to thrive both personally and professionally, with the goal of aligning individual career goals with organisational objectives. You will have access to training programs that encompass a variety of formats including workshops, seminars, online courses and more, catering to different learning styles and preferences. North Sydney Council can also provide financial support and/or study leave to staff pursuing relevant external education (including undergraduate and post-graduate qualifications).

You’ll have access to:

• Excellent work-life balance with a 76-hour- 9-day working fortnight
• Enjoy an easy walk to spectacular harbour views during lunch.
• Freedom to direct contributions to any compliant superannuation fund
• Access to a holistic health and well-being program and Fitness Passport
• Access to employee recognition and reward program
• Weekly fruit baskets
• Free access to counselling sessions through our Employee Assistance Program
• Free financial advice by a certified Financial Planner
• Monetary transport allowance
• Close locale to transport options including train, bus, metro and bike ways

Apply now to become part of something legendary!

FULL-TIME

Hourly rate from: $39.24 to $46.85 per hour + 12% superannuation + $1,000 pa transport allowance

76 hours per fortnight with a rostered day off

Weekend penalties apply

How to apply

• Applications must include a resume
• Attach a cover letter addressing all essential and desirable criteria (see above)
• Answer the screening questions contained in the application process below

It is an essential requirement of this role that a Police Clearance and Working with Children Check (WWCC) is conducted. It is an offence under NSW legislation for barred workers to apply for or otherwise attempt to obtain, undertake or remain in child-related employment.

Please note:This role will commence immediately

To view the Position Description,Click Here

Closing Date: 28 June 2026 - 11.30pm

North Sydney Council is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity in order to provide a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. North Sydney Council also adheresto the principles of a child safe organisation and is committed to the care and protection of all children and young people.We strongly encourage candidates from wide-ranging backgrounds, identities and experiences to apply.