Executive Chef (Pre-Opening)

Executive Chef (Pre-Opening) – Hotel Indigo Melbourne Little Collins and Holiday Inn Melbourne Bourke Street

One of Melbourne’s most iconic CBD arcades is fast transforming into a landmark retail and holiday destination. The redevelopment of "Melbourne Walk" Arcade will soon see IHGs first Australian dual-branded hotel project. Nestled in the heart of Melbourne's vibrant CBD, this project combines the boutique charm of Hotel Indigo with the modern comfort of Holiday Inn, offering a unique blend of hospitality experiences across 452 rooms.

Open the door into Hotel Indigo and guests can expect local character, modern design and warm, professional service with a vibrant and individual flavour, bringing the edgy laneway neighbourhood of Little Collins Street to life. Making the most of the retail haven, Holiday Inn will offer a modern, fresh and friendly stay for a wide variety of guests coming to enjoy the convenience and value they know and love from Holiday Inn, and all that Bourke Street Mall has to offer.

Featuring a Neighbourhood Café renowned across the Hotel Indigo brand, and the essential All Day Dining, a staple for Holiday Inn, there will be one central kitchen across both hotels, serving up truly memorable dishes, whenever and wherever our guests choose to dine. We believe every plate tells a story. So, we’re searching for an Executive Chef with a palate for excellence, to play a pivotal role – far beyond just creating menus – you will build the entire culinary foundation of our hotels. 

A little taste of your day-to-day

Every day is different, but as part of the pre-opening team, you will play a key role in ensuring this new hotel is ready to welcome its first guests, including:

• Developing the hotel’s various F&B menus, including restaurant, room service, banquets, and any special event menus.
• Deciding on the culinary style or theme that aligns with the hotel’s brand, market positioning, and target audience.
• Conducting tastings to refine dishes and ensure that the menu items are aligned with the quality standards.
• Collaborating with architects, interior designers, and contractors to ensure the kitchen layout is functional and efficient. This includes equipment placement, storage areas, and flow of kitchen operations.
• Overseeing the selection and installation of kitchen equipment like ovens, refrigerators, stoves, and other appliances. Ensuring everything is suited to the culinary needs of the hotel.
• Leading the recruitment of key kitchen staff, including sous chefs, line cooks, pastry chefs, and kitchen assistants.
• Developing training programs to ensure the team is well-versed in kitchen operations, food safety standards, hygiene protocols, and the execution of menu items.
• Creating a cohesive kitchen team by promoting collaboration and ensuring a clear division of tasks based on each team member's strengths.
• Ensuring that the kitchen complies with local health and safety regulations. This includes food storage, temperature control, hygiene practices, and allergen awareness.
• Setting up Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) protocols to ensure food safety from procurement to serving.
• Establishing relationships with suppliers for high-quality ingredients, negotiating contracts, and ensuring a reliable supply chain for produce, meats, seafood, and other items.
• Ensuring that the ingredients align with the hotel’s menu style and quality standards, focusing on freshness, availability, and cost-effectiveness.
• Developing a detailed costing model for each menu item to control food costs while maintaining profitability.
• Working closely with the finance team to manage the F&B budget, which includes kitchen supplies, food costs, labor costs, and other expenses.
• Setting up an inventory control system to track and manage ingredients and kitchen supplies, minimizing waste and ensuring efficient use of resources.
• Developing SOPs for food preparation, service standards, cleaning protocols, and inventory management.
• Setting prices for the menus based on food costs, market trends, and target guest demographics.
• Implementing systems to monitor waste, portion sizes, and labor costs to ensure profitability.
• Working closely with the Food & Beverage Manager to ensure seamless coordination between the kitchen and service teams.
• Ensuring that the hotel’s culinary offerings align with its brand, creating signature dishes or experiences that distinguish the hotel in the market.
• Collaborating with marketing teams for food photography, social media promotions, and ensuring the presentation of dishes is visually appealing and marketable.

What we need from you

The Executive Chef role is critical in building a high-functioning kitchen, ensuring smooth F&B operations, and establishing the hotel’s culinary identity before it officially opens, so we’re looking for a talented leader able to balance creativity with operational management and who can demonstrate:

• Advanced vocational training/qualification in culinary arts  ​
• 10+ years of experience in commercial kitchen operations, including at least four years as Head or Executive Chef, with experience leading and managing a high performing team​
• Experience in large-scale operations such as hotels, resorts, or high-volume restaurants is particularly valued.
• Food Safety Certification (preferred)
• Demonstrated Mastery in a wide range of cooking techniques, food preparation methods, and kitchen equipment use is essential.
• Ability to design innovative menus and dishes, catering to different dietary needs, preferences, and trends while maintaining high standards of flavor and presentation.
• Ability to work autonomously and manage workload and key deliverables within a project opening timeline.
• Capacity to build and lead a high-performing and engaged team and commitment to developing and coaching colleagues. 
• High level communication and relationship management skills, collaborating with a wide variety of stakeholders, both internal and external.

What you can expect from us

Not only will you benefit from a truly unique and career-defining opportunity as part of this exciting hotel opening, working with a talented and experienced General Manager and New Hotel Openings team, but you’ll receive a competitive salary that rewards all your hard work and a wide range of benefits designed to help you live your best work life – including, impressive room discounts and some of the best training in the business.

Most importantly, your career journey will be supported through our lifelong development programs, IHG career milestone celebrations, and transfer of leave entitlements as you move and grow with IHG.

Our mission is to welcome everyone and create inclusive teams where we celebrate differences and encourage colleagues to bring their whole selves to work. IHG Hotels & Resorts provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability. We promote a culture of trust, support, and acceptance. Always welcoming different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. 

So, join us and you’ll become part of our ever-growing global family.