Lead the Culinary Future at LagardèreAWPL! 🍴

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 concepts – and now, we want YOU to join our team!

The Role:

As Executive Chef, you’ll set the culinary direction for our Food Services portfolio across more than 15 locations in 9 airport terminals, with many more in the business development pipeline. This is an exciting opportunity to shape menus, inspire teams, and bring innovative food concepts to life in a fast-paced, hands-on environment. You’ll be at the forefront of evolving our food strategy, driving consistency, quality, and operational excellence across multiple kitchens, all while enhancing the dining experience for thousands of travellers each day.

With a strong pipeline of new openings ahead, this role offers genuine opportunities to grow your career as we continue to expand, giving you the chance to make your mark on the future of food in travel.

What You’ll Do:

✅ Lead and inspire high-performing kitchen teams across multiple sites
✅ Drive menu innovation, seasonal concepts, and engaging food activations
✅ Ensure consistency, quality, and compliance with food safety standards
✅ Optimise kitchen operations for efficiency and cost control
✅ Build strong supplier relationships and deliver commercial success
✅ Liase with our Global JV Partners Lagardere Travel Retail in global brand partnerships.
✅ Champion sustainability initiatives and reduce kitchen waste through smart practices
✅ Develop and mentor emerging culinary talent, including running annual internal chef competitions to showcase creativity and innovation
✅ Collaborate with marketing and operations teams to deliver memorable guest experiences through food

Qualifications and Experience:

👨‍🍳 Proven experience as an Executive or Group Chef in multi-site/high-volume settings (airport, QSR, café, or fast casual preferred)
🏗️ Strong operational knowledge of commercial kitchen management, food safety, and compliance
🤝 Demonstrated leadership and mentoring skills with a passion for developing teams
💰 Commercially savvy with experience in cost control, COGS, and labour efficiency
🎓 Relevant culinary trade qualifications & Food Safety Supervisor Certificate (HACCP knowledge highly regarded)

We know that not everyone will meet every single requirement listed, if you’re passionate about food, leadership, and driving innovation and tick the majority of the above, we’d still love to hear from you.

Perks & Benefits:

🛍️ Staff Discounts – Exclusive savings in our stores
🚀 Career Development – Our Better Together program helps you grow and thrive
📚 Professional Growth & Education – Access to further educational development opportunities to support your long-term career goals
👨‍👩‍👧 Paid Parental Leave – Up to 18 weeks employer-funded top-up leave
🎁 Employee Referral Program – Refer great talent & earn rewards
💆‍♀️ Wellbeing Support – Paid Wellbeing Leave + TELUS Health EAP access
✈️ Work in a Dynamic Airport Environment – Where no two days are the same!
🕐 Work–Life Balance – Enjoy a flexible roster designed for the right candidate, working predominantly Monday to Friday with limited weekend requirements – No split shifts, no late nights, no 60 hour weeks.

We Value Diversity & Inclusion

At LagardèreAWPL, we value diversity, inclusivity, and a collaborative work environment, where you will have the opportunity to work alongside a talented team of people who share your passion for creativity and excellence. 

Join us at LagardèreAWPL and be part of a global company that celebrates creativity, innovation, and a commitment to sustainable practices.

📢 APPLY NOW and cook up your next big career move with us!