Expression of Interest | Head Chef | Mr Wong… at Merivale · Melbourne

Company Description

Job Description

The Opportunity

We’re looking for an exceptional Head Chef to lead the kitchen at Mr Wong Melbourne, opening later this year at Tomasetti House on Flinders Lane.

One of Merivale’s biggest projects to date, Tomasetti House will begin with a two-level Chinese restaurant led by Executive Chef Jowett Yu, bringing the much-loved Mr Wong experience to Melbourne.

As Head Chef, you’ll be there from the beginning – building the kitchen team, shaping its culture and setting the standards for what comes next. Working closely with Jowett and Merivale’s senior culinary team, you’ll play a key role in bringing this next chapter of Mr Wong to life.

It’s a significant role in a restaurant we’re incredibly excited to open, and an opportunity to help shape it from day one.

The Role

As Head Chef, you will take ownership of all aspects of kitchen operations, including:

• Recruiting, developing and inspiring a large, diverse brigade
• Leading pre-opening preparation, kitchen systems and operational readiness
• Delivering exceptional quality and consistency across high-volume services
• Maintaining strong food-cost, wage, stock and supplier controls
• Building a positive, disciplined and performance-driven kitchen culture
• Working closely with the Executive Chef and venue leadership team
• Upholding the culinary identity, detail and standards associated with Mr Wong

The Candidate

You will be an established Head Chef, or an exceptional Senior Sous Chef ready to take the next step, with experience in a premium, high-volume restaurant environment.

You will bring:

• Strong knowledge of Chinese cuisine and kitchen techniques
• Proven experience leading and developing sizeable kitchen teams
• The operational discipline required to manage a complex, high-volume restaurant
• Strong commercial awareness across food costs, labour and procurement
• Calm, visible leadership and the ability to set clear expectations
• Pre-opening experience or experience establishing new teams and systems
• A genuine desire to contribute to Melbourne’s dining culture

Most importantly, you will understand that opening a restaurant of this scale takes resilience, collaboration and an uncompromising commitment to excellence.

The Reward

This is an opportunity to take ownership of a career-defining opening with one of Australia’s leading hospitality groups.

Merivale offers:

• 25% staff discount across 90+ Merivale venues.
• Exclusive monthly perks, staff-only rewards and events.
• Merivale Staff Cellar – access to premium wines at staff pricing.
• Unlimited career growth with endless development opportunities.
• Merivale Academy – online and in-person training, including Leadership & Performance, First Aid, Food Safety and more.
• Professional accreditation support – including Leadership qualifications.
• Employee Assistance Program – confidential wellbeing and mental health support, provided by Sonder.
• Employee Referral Program – earn rewards for bringing great people on board.

This is an initial expression of interest. Further details regarding the opening timeline and recruitment process will be shared with shortlisted candidates.

If you’re ready to build an exceptional team and help shape the next chapter of Mr Wong, we’d love to hear from you.