Be the driving force behind everything culinary

At LagardèreAWPL, we’re not just the largest Travel Retail operator in the Pacific – we’re the most passionate! With 150+ stores across Australia, & New Zealand, we bring big brands to life in airports and travel hubs.

Our dynamic team of 1,500+ professionals work across 40 unique retail and Food & Beverage concepts – and now, we want YOU to join our team!

Following our successful tender win at Sunshine Coast Airport, we are progressively opening six new Food & Beverage venues over the next 12 months. This will become one of our largest F&B operations to date, with an exciting well-rounded offer including an all-day dining restaurant & bar, 2 x cafés, Sushi & Dumplings QSR, Smash Patty Burger Bar and an upmarket good for you health offer. There has never been a better time to get in at the ground level and drive a culinary impact like the one on offer within this Airport.

As our Head Chef, you’ll be at the heart of our culinary operations, leading a talented team across multiple outlets and helping shape the food experience for thousands of customers. You’ll combine hands-on leadership with strong commercial and operational capability, driving exceptional food quality, consistency and safety while building a positive, high-performing kitchen culture.

What You’ll Do On A Daily

✅ Lead the daily operation of cafés, restaurants and production kitchens
✅ Maintain high standards of food quality, presentation, consistency and service
✅ Recruit, train, coach and develop a culinary team of approximately 15–20 team members
✅ Oversee & manage food ordering, purchasing, stock control and supplier relationships
✅ Be the driving force behind menu development, innovation and costing alongside of the Executive Chef.
✅ Monitor food costs, labour costs, waste and shrinkage to support strong commercial performance
✅ Implement clear kitchen systems, production processes and food safety procedures
✅ Ensure compliance with food safety, WHS, RSA and airport security requirements
✅ Work closely with the General Manager and wider operational teams to achieve sales, service and financial targets
✅ Work alongside the Executive Chef on kitchen designs to ensure they are fit for purpose.
✅ Take a hands-on role in kitchen service, production and team support when required

What We’re Looking For

✅ Proven experience as a Head Chef or senior culinary leader in a high-volume environment
✅ Strong leadership skills and experience developing kitchen teams
✅ Hands-on experience managing multiple food offers, outlets or production kitchens (desirable but not essential)
✅ Strong knowledge of menu costing, stock control, ordering, labour planning and food-cost management
✅ A practical and organised approach, with strong attention to detail
✅ Confidence working in a fast-paced environment with changing operational needs
✅ Experience in airport, travel, retail food service or multi-site operations is highly desirable
✅ Food Safety Supervisor qualification and the ability to obtain an ASIC security clearance

Why Join Us?

✈️ Work Life Balance – This role is designed to be a Monday – Friday | daytime based role with some flexibility required to support operations when required.
✈️ Be the driving force behind exciting new concepts – play a key role in bringing new Food & Beverage concepts to life, shaping their culinary direction, standards, and success from the ground up.
✈️ Unrivalled career development – broaden your culinary experience and accelerate your career across a diverse portfolio of multi-cuisine concepts and operating environments.
✈️ Airport parking – Free Parking at the Sunshine Coast Airport.
✈️ Meal Allowance – Generous Staff Meal Allowance – Free Food & Beverage & extended discounts across our retail network.
✈️ Paid parental leave – up to 18 weeks of employer-funded top-up paid parental leave, plus additional personal leave entitlements
✈️ Wellbeing leave – Permanent employees receive a paid wellbeing leave day from day one.
✈️ Employee Assistance Program – free, confidential 24/7 support through TELUS Health.

About Lagardère AWPL

At Lagardère AWPL, we value diversity, inclusion and a collaborative workplace. You will join a passionate team that cares about quality food, great service and creating positive experiences for travellers.

If you are a hands-on Head Chef who enjoys building teams, improving kitchen operations and delivering quality food at scale, we would love to hear from you.

📢 Apply now and help shape the future of Food & Beverage at Sunshine Coast Airport!