Job Description

Café Chef – Terrace Café & Multi-Venue

Location: Culinary Team at ActivateUTS | Terrace Café – in addition - Aerial Function Centre, The Underground & Loft Bar

Ultimo

Reports To: Group Head Chef

Position Status: Full Time

About the Role

The Chef position will be responsible for the preparation, execution, and quality control of food offerings, working with and part of the ActivateUTS broader culinary team to ensure food quality and standards. The focus is to work alongside the Group Head Chef to drive standards and kitchen operations with a strong focus on cost and overall revenue performance of the Terrace Café.

This position will lead and operate within the Terrace Café and support a central culinary team, and from time-to-time work across multiple kitchens and services across ActivateUTS food and beverage venue outlets, as required. This will include our other hospitality venues, The Underground, The Loft, and Aerial Function Centre.

The ideal person for this role, will be proactive, flexible and someone who is happy to deliver consistent output across different environments, follow established systems, and adapt to varying service styles while maintaining quality and efficiency and someone who is able to adapt to different kitchen and culinary teams based on ActivateUTS business bookings, student events, corporate functions, and overall catering requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Food Preparation & Service

• Prepare and present food to defined recipes, specifications, and service standards
• Maintain consistency in portioning, quality, and presentation
• Execute service efficiently during peak periods
• Minimise food wastage and support cost control targets
• Ensure timely delivery of food orders during service periods

Kitchen Operations & Stock Management

• Work across multiple kitchens and venues as rostered or required
• Adapt to different menus, service styles, and operational setups
• Support ordering, receiving, and stock control processes
• Ensure correct storage, labelling, and FIFO stock rotation
• Complete required kitchen records, including temperature, cleaning, and production logs
• Escalate equipment, stock, or operational issues promptly
• Maintain kitchen readiness and organisation during all shifts

Compliance & Safety

• Maintain compliance with food safety, HACCP, and WHS standards across all venues
• Follow allergen management procedures with zero tolerance for error
• Maintain kitchen cleanliness and hygiene standards
• Use PPE and adhere to safe work practices at all times

Team Support & Collaboration

• Operate as part of the central culinary team, working closely with the Group Head Chef and other kitchen teams
• Collaborate with operational leaders, including Café Manager and Group Operations Manager, to support broader kitchen needs
• Support and guide junior staff and kitchen hands as required, following the Group Head Chef’s direction
• Contribute to a professional, positive, and disciplined kitchen culture

About You

You are an adaptable and reliable Chef who can deliver consistent results across different kitchen environments, following the direction of the Group Head Chef and collaborating effectively with all kitchen teams. You work well within established systems, maintain attention to detail under pressure, and contribute positively to team operations.

Essential Criteria

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in a café or fast-paced commercial kitchen
• Certificate III in Commercial Cookery (or equivalent)
• Strong working knowledge of food safety, HACCP, and allergen control
• Demonstrated ability to follow systems, recipes, and service procedures
• Ability to adapt to different kitchens, menus, and service styles
• High attention to detail and consistency in execution
• Ability to work under pressure in varied, high-volume environments
• Experience with stock control, prep planning, and kitchen documentation
• Reliable, punctual, and team-oriented

Desirable Criteria

• Experience working across multiple venues or catering/functions environments
• Experience contributing to menu development in a café or events setting
• Exposure to dietary-specific menus (vegetarian, vegan, allergen-aware)
• Basic computer skills (ordering systems, recipe costing, checklists)

Why Join Us

• Generous employer superannuation contributions above the standard requirement
• A collaborative and supportive team environment
• Opportunities across a diverse venue and commercial portfolio
• Free gym membership
• Access to Fitness Passport
• Daily meal allowance
• Additional paid leave days
• Wellbeing initiatives
• An inclusive culture built on Passion, Growth, Collaboration, Trust and Inclusion

Life at ActivateUTS

• 190 student clubs and societies (22,000+ memberships)
• Major campus events including O’Day and O’Fest
• Sports programs (8 programs, 2 gyms, 350+ student-athletes)
• Food and beverage venues, a commercial function centre, and ActivateFit – the on-campus gym

Learn more at activateuts.com.au

Follow us: @activateuts @activatefit.gym @theloftuts @undergrounduts @aerialutsfunctioncentre @theutsstore