About Rat

Rat is a community-focused Thornbury café built on good produce, low waste, and a genuinely kind team culture. We cook seasonally, source thoughtfully, and try to run the kind of place that feels good to walk into — whether you’re a regular, a supplier, or part of the team.

We’re growing steadily and are looking for a Head Chef to help guide the kitchen through its next chapter.

About the Role

This is a full-time, hands-on role of around 40 hours a week, all daytime shifts and finishing by 3.30pm (with the possibility of some Friday evenings down the track). We are open to the possibility of creating a four day working week (pro-rata), and happy to discuss other arrangements.

You’ll lead a small three-person kitchen team. During the week you’ll often run solo shifts; on weekends you’ll work alongside another chef. As we continue to grow the business we will look at expanding the team and making sure that you have the support you need. It’s a role that suits someone confident, organised and happy to take ownership — but who also values collaboration.

What You’ll Be Doing

Leading the kitchen calmly and positively, setting the tone from the front
Creating a respectful, upbeat environment where people feel supported
Designing and delivering a rotating seasonal menu that’s thoughtful, generous and well executed
Cooking food that’s well seasoned, consistent and suited to our neighbourhood
Training and supporting a small team with patience and clarity
Staying on top of ordering, suppliers and stock so the kitchen runs smoothly
Managing food costs and wages responsibly, without losing the soul of the food
Maintaining a clean, organised kitchen that’s always food-safety ready

We’re after someone steady, kind and quietly confident, who takes pride in their work and loves what they do. You enjoy mentoring others, understand that leadership is about tone as much as technique, and can run a service smoothly without ego or drama.

Ideally you’ll bring:

Some experience in a similar role
A strong palate and a good eye for simple, appealing plating
Solid understanding of modern café cooking
Confidence with food safety and stock systems
A calm, solutions-focused approach when things get busy

Apply online, or email hello@ratthecafe.com.au with any questions

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