How do you vet candidates before presenting them?

In-depth interview covering work history, motivations, culture preferences and career goals. Reference verification with previous employers to confirm experience and work ethic. Practical assessment against the specific demands of your role and venue type. Personal endorsement: we only present candidates we would genuinely hire ourselves. You will never receive a bulk CV drop. Every shortlist is curated.

Hospitality Workforce Specialists · Perth & South West WA

Hospitality Recruitment Perth & South West WA: Build a Hospitality Team That Stays.

Cookatoo is a licensed hospitality recruitment agency in Perth and South West WA. We place permanent chefs, managers and front of house staff in independent restaurants, hotels, bars, cafes and wineries. You pay only when a placed candidate starts, and every placement carries a 12 week rebate period, or 20 weeks on Premium. WA Employment Agent Licence EA3345. We publish the Cookatoo Standard for how venues treat their staff.

Book a Free Consultation CallSee Our Process

✓Zero Upfront Risk✓Permanent Placements Only✓Hospitality Industry Only

Looking for your next hospitality role? Apply as a candidate →

0wk

rebate period

No Placement,

No Payment.

Elegant restaurant interior with warm lighting and bar seating in Perth, Western Australia

Guarantee

No Placement,

No Payment.

0wk

rebate period

Hospitality Workforce Specialists · Perth & South West WA

Hospitality Recruitment Perth & South West WA: Build a Hospitality Team That Stays.

Book a Free Consultation CallSee Our Process

✓Zero Upfront Risk✓Permanent Placements Only✓Hospitality Industry Only

Looking for your next hospitality role? Apply as a candidate →

0wk

rebate period

No Placement,

No Payment.

Guarantee

No Placement,

No Payment.

0wk

rebate period

Who We Work With

Across Every Corner of WA's Hospitality Scene

From Perth's hat-awarded fine diners to Margaret River cellar doors and South West neighbourhood favourites, Cookatoo places permanent staff across the full breadth of Western Australia's food and hospitality industry.

Head Chef Sous Chef Restaurant Manager Bar Manager Front of House Manager Sommelier Hotel Manager Events Manager Head Barista Cellar Door Manager

Currently viewing

Dining

Currently viewing

Bars & Wineries

Currently viewing

Hotels & Clubs

Currently viewing

Catering & Events

Currently viewing

Specialty Food

Not sure if your venue fits? get in touch and we'll let you know how we can help.

The Staffing Reality

Why Hospitality Staffing in Perth & South West WA Is So Hard to Get Right

Finding great hospitality professionals is only half the challenge. Keeping them is where most placements fail. We're built to solve both.

job mobility rate in hospitality, the highest of any Australian industry (ABS, year to February 2026)

High staff turnover is not just a nuisance. It actively damages your team culture, disrupts service quality, and costs you far more than the placement fee.

of salary paid is the measured cost of one wrong hire, up to $16,000 for an Australian small business (SEEK research, 2026)

A wrong hire carries hidden costs: lost productivity, rehiring, retraining, and team disruption. SEEK estimates these cost Australian small and medium businesses $7.3 billion a year.

kitchen occupations, chefs, cooks and pastrycooks, are in shortage in WA (Jobs and Skills Australia Occupation Shortage List, 2025)

Perth's geographic isolation limits the available talent pool, and WA's booming resources sector competes directly for the same workers. SEEK alone cannot solve a structural shortage.

The reason our placements stay is not luck.

We publish eight requirements for how venues treat their people: salary on every role, proper rosters, paid trial shifts and real wellbeing support. Our goal is that every venue we work with meets them, and venues that do can display the badge. Candidates who know a venue meets the Standard accept and stay. That is what backs our placement guarantee.

See the Standard

Know what you must pay

Check the award minimum before you set the rate: weekday, weekend, public holiday, overtime and meal break rates, for national and WA state awards, hospitality and restaurant.

Check the award pay rates

See It for Yourself

What is turnover costing your team?

Team size8 staff

260

Average annual salary$65,000

$45k$120k

Annual staff turnover rate50%

10%120%

SEEK research (2026) puts the measured cost of a wrong hire at about 21% of the salary paid, including rehiring, training and lost productivity. It is used here as an estimate for each departure.

Your annual turnover cost

$54,600

per year in turnover costs

Staff leaving each year4 people

Cost per departure$13,650

SEEK benchmark used21% of salary

Fix this with Cookatoo

Staff stay where they are paid fairly and treated well. That is why we publish the Cookatoo Standard, which includes pay at or above award rates, and work towards every venue we work with meeting it.

See It for Yourself

What does the wrong hire really cost?

Role salary$70,000

$40k$200k

Not sure what to pay? Check the award minimum for your role.

Bad hires in the past year

Based on SEEK research (2026), which puts the measured cost of one wrong hire at about 21% of the salary paid, including rehiring, training and lost productivity.

The cost comparison

$14,700

Cost of bad hire

Ask us

Cookatoo placement fee

Stop Losing Money on Bad Hires

Chef and bar staff working together at a Perth hospitality venue

Close-up of a perfectly made espresso at a Perth café

0wk

rebate guarantee

The Permanent Advantage

Why Permanent Placements in Perth & South West WA Win Every Time

Casuals plug gaps. Permanent staff build businesses. There's a fundamental difference in performance, loyalty, and the experience they deliver. Cookatoo exists to find you the latter.

A Cohesive Team Culture

Permanent staff invest in your business, build relationships with regulars, and elevate your service standards every single shift, because they see a future there.

Dramatically Lower Long-Term Costs

One quality permanent placement costs less over three years than the endless cycle of temp fees, agency premiums, and emergency cover that casual staffing demands.

Exceptional Guest Experiences

Guests notice when staff know their names, remember their preferences, and genuinely care. Only permanent employees build those relationships that keep guests coming back.

Protected by Our Guarantee

You only pay when we place the right person. With up to 20 weeks rebate or free replacement, your investment is protected long after day one.

Find Your Next Permanent Hire

Our Proven Approach

Our Perth & South West WA Recruitment Process: Brief to Brilliant Hire

We handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on running your venue. Here's exactly what to expect when you work with Cookatoo.

Step 01

Free 15 Minute Consultation

We start with a free, no obligation 15 minute call to understand your business, the roles you need to fill, and any recruitment challenges you're facing. We'll walk you through how Cookatoo works, how we find candidates who fit your culture, and outline the next steps. You'll leave with a clear plan and no pressure.

Step 02

Compare Packages and Sign

When you're happy to go ahead, we send a short digital agreement. You compare our service packages side by side, review the fee and rebate terms, and sign online in a couple of minutes. No printing, no scanning. Signing at this stage means that the moment you're ready to hire, the search can start straight away.

The agreement sets out our fee, the rebate period, and the package you choose. Everything is laid out plainly before you sign, and nothing is charged until we successfully place someone. Once it is signed you are set up in our system, ready to brief a role whenever it suits you.

Step 03

Online Role Brief

Brief a role as soon as you've signed, or wait until you're actually ready to hire. When you're ready, you open a private link and complete the brief at your own pace, usually in 20 to 30 minutes. Answer conversationally and our AI builds a complete, ready-to-approve job description.

Whenever you are ready to fill a role, you open your private link. The brief works like a guided conversation and most employers spend 20 to 30 minutes on it, covering venue details, team culture, salary, hours, and what makes the ideal candidate, and it saves as you go so you can pause and pick it up later.

Our AI then generates a full job description which you can edit and approve directly in the browser. The approved job description becomes the benchmark our system uses to score every candidate in our talent pool against the role, objectively, before a recruiter reviews anyone.

Step 04

AI Targeted Hospitality Search

Our network activates alongside our AI powered candidate search. We use intelligent targeting to surface the right profiles across our database, social platforms and job boards, reaching top passive talent who are not actively looking. Every incoming application is automatically AI assessed against your approved job description, evaluating candidates objectively so every application is considered on merit alone.

Once your job description is approved, our system immediately scores every eligible candidate in our talent pool against it. Each CV is read by our AI, which assigns a relevance score and writes a one-line summary.

That score reflects seven things about each candidate: how closely their craft and hands on experience fit the role, whether your non negotiable requirements are clearly met, whether their seniority and level of responsibility match, how well they suit your style of venue, the practical side of commute, shift pattern, start date, pay expectations and full time or part time fit, how well the calibre of the venues they have worked in matches the standard of yours, and the qualities that show a candidate will lift the standard of your team.

The highest scoring candidates are reviewed by our team first. At the same time, targeted outreach campaigns reach hospitality professionals who are not actively looking but closely match the role. Every inbound application is also automatically pre-screened before a recruiter reviews it. The result: by the time your shortlist reaches your inbox, an objective filter has already removed the noise.

Step 05

Curated Shortlist Presented

You receive a shortlist of thoroughly vetted candidates: two to three on our Professional package, or three to five on Premium. Before anyone reaches your inbox, each has been phone screened by our team to gather further context and cleared a right-to-work verification. Every shortlisted candidate comes with our detailed recommendation.

Step 06

Interviews & Trials with the Client

We arrange interviews and paid trial shifts at your venue, at times that suit your service. Each candidate is briefed beforehand, we handle all the scheduling and follow up, and we gather structured feedback from both sides after every meeting so you can compare people fairly.

Step 07

Decision Support

With interviews and trials done, we stay close while you weigh up the candidates. You get our honest read on each person, salary and offer guidance, and help shaping the offer so the right hire accepts with confidence.

Step 08

Placement & Rebate Guarantee

Your new team member starts. We check in at 4 and 12 weeks, and again at 20 weeks on Premium placements, to keep the transition smooth for both sides. On Premium, each check in is a retention consultation: you and your new team member each complete a short private feedback form, and we talk it through with you. Every placement is backed by a 12 week rebate, extended to 20 weeks on Premium, or a free replacement if things don't work out.

Book a Free Consultation Call

Alexander Scrase

Founder, Cookatoo

Meet the Founder

Built by Someone Who's Worked the Pass.

I started in hospitality at 16 in Perth, washing dishes, working the line, learning what it actually takes to run a kitchen and a floor under pressure. Over the next 14 years I worked my way through cafés, fine dining, and Michelin-starred kitchens across Perth and London.

Perth is where my love for this industry began, the energy of a busy service, the craft of a well-run venue, the people who make it what it is. So when I decided to move into recruitment, coming back to the city where it all started was never a question.

In London, I founded Cookaburra, a hospitality recruitment agency placing exceptional talent across some of the city's best venues. Two years later, I launched Cookatoo back in WA with the same approach, the same standard, and the same belief that great recruitment is personal.

Together, the two agencies are working to bridge the gap between Australia and the United Kingdom, two of the world's great hospitality markets. I won't put someone in front of you that I wouldn't hire myself.

14+

Years in hospitality

Age 16

Started in Perth

London

Michelin-starred kitchens

Perth WA

Founder, Cookatoo

Connect on LinkedIn

The Retention Case for Wellness

Hospitality has long carried a culture that takes more from people than it gives back. As the industry evolves and a younger generation moves away from that, the businesses that invest in their people beyond the payslip will be the ones that attract and keep the best talent.

That's why every candidate we place gets access to our Wellness Perks Portfolio, with discounted rates at gyms, studios, and wellbeing venues across Perth and the South West. And because culture is a team effort, we extend those same perks to your entire existing team at no extra cost.

Gyms Sauna Ice Baths Pilates Meditation Yoga Breathwork Steamrooms+ more

Why people leave, in the latest data

15.4%

hospitality job mobility rate, the highest of any Australian industry

ABS Job Mobility, year to February 2026

76%

of hospitality businesses report difficulty filling vacancies

Restaurant & Catering Australia, 2025 Benchmarking Report, March 2026

50.1%

fall in chef apprentice commencements over five years

Australian Hotels Association, January 2026

Google Reviews

What clients say about working with Alexander

Reviews from Alexander's recruitment work placing hospitality professionals in London

5.0· 13 reviews on Google

“Alex went out and found the perfect candidate for us. I can't thank you enough for the time and effort spent. I would recommend him to anyone looking to hire, the care and attentiveness has been perfect.”
ZW
Zara White
EmployerPomelo London
“Outstanding service and exceptional customer attention. Alex has been instrumental in helping our business by providing a wide range of excellent candidates. Their professionalism made the hiring process seamless and stress-free.”
TO
Tomas Oliveros
EmployerSpacetalk
“As a small business, we were weary of working with a recruiter, but Alex was a breath of fresh air and shared our philosophy of fostering sustainable, balanced and rewarding hospitality environments. Alex understood our needs and aligned our goals with the right candidate.”
KE
Kiki Evans
EmployerUnwined
“We together worked out whether I would be a great fit, I of course got the job and I'd very much say it felt like a team effort. In the future, if I'm ever looking for another placement, I wouldn't go anywhere else.”
SK
Sudais Knight
CandidatePlaced by Alexander
“As a jobseeker, I felt genuinely valued. Alex took the time to understand my skills and career aspirations, and matched me with opportunities that were a perfect fit. Thanks to his efforts, I was placed at La Maritxu, a position I am absolutely thrilled about.”
EB
Esmira Bairamova
CandidatePlaced at La Maritxu
“Highly recommend Alexander and his team. They have frequently sent me help at short notice and the chefs they've sent have all been absolutely fantastic, going above and beyond and working brilliantly with my existing team.”
JB
James Blunt
Employer
“Really awesome placement. Alex helped me find a job that met all my requirements. Even though he's a recruiter, he made sure the process was smooth and checked up on me along the way. I highly recommend him.”
KB
Kevin Botha
CandidatePlaced at Unwined
“Alex has been an outstanding partner in our recruitment efforts. He consistently provides top-notch candidates who are not only skilled but also a great fit for our team culture. His extensive network and deep industry knowledge have been invaluable.”
LL
Lucia Larragoiti Fisher
EmployerLa Maritxu London
“I am extremely grateful to Alex for helping me secure a fantastic job. His intervention was instrumental in getting me hired. He is 100% trustworthy and dedicated to helping you succeed.”
VV
Vishnu V S
CandidatePlaced at SpaceTalk
“I have received brilliant communication and services. Alex is very attentive and shares brilliant information. He offers great support and attention to detail, a well-deserved 5-star rating!”
RG
Rosie Gulbis
CandidatePlaced at Forge Coffee
“Alex connects top talents with leading hospitality employers. His friendly, personalised service and industry expertise make the job search enjoyable and successful.”
ST
Sandra Torrano Marcos
CandidatePlaced by Alexander
“Alex was great! He found me a sous chef position in a company perfect for what I was looking for. He made sure it was the right fit and that I would be happy long term. Outstanding.”
RL
Rachel Lunn
CandidatePlaced at Pomelo
“Very useful service, would recommend to anyone in the hospitality industry looking for chefs.”
A
Alysia
EmployerBelle Époque Patisserie
“Alex went out and found the perfect candidate for us. I can't thank you enough for the time and effort spent. I would recommend him to anyone looking to hire, the care and attentiveness has been perfect.”
ZW
Zara White
EmployerPomelo London
“Outstanding service and exceptional customer attention. Alex has been instrumental in helping our business by providing a wide range of excellent candidates. Their professionalism made the hiring process seamless and stress-free.”
TO
Tomas Oliveros
EmployerSpacetalk
“As a small business, we were weary of working with a recruiter, but Alex was a breath of fresh air and shared our philosophy of fostering sustainable, balanced and rewarding hospitality environments. Alex understood our needs and aligned our goals with the right candidate.”
KE
Kiki Evans
EmployerUnwined
“We together worked out whether I would be a great fit, I of course got the job and I'd very much say it felt like a team effort. In the future, if I'm ever looking for another placement, I wouldn't go anywhere else.”
SK
Sudais Knight
CandidatePlaced by Alexander
“As a jobseeker, I felt genuinely valued. Alex took the time to understand my skills and career aspirations, and matched me with opportunities that were a perfect fit. Thanks to his efforts, I was placed at La Maritxu, a position I am absolutely thrilled about.”
EB
Esmira Bairamova
CandidatePlaced at La Maritxu
“Highly recommend Alexander and his team. They have frequently sent me help at short notice and the chefs they've sent have all been absolutely fantastic, going above and beyond and working brilliantly with my existing team.”
JB
James Blunt
Employer
“Really awesome placement. Alex helped me find a job that met all my requirements. Even though he's a recruiter, he made sure the process was smooth and checked up on me along the way. I highly recommend him.”
KB
Kevin Botha
CandidatePlaced at Unwined
“Alex has been an outstanding partner in our recruitment efforts. He consistently provides top-notch candidates who are not only skilled but also a great fit for our team culture. His extensive network and deep industry knowledge have been invaluable.”
LL
Lucia Larragoiti Fisher
EmployerLa Maritxu London
“I am extremely grateful to Alex for helping me secure a fantastic job. His intervention was instrumental in getting me hired. He is 100% trustworthy and dedicated to helping you succeed.”
VV
Vishnu V S
CandidatePlaced at SpaceTalk
“I have received brilliant communication and services. Alex is very attentive and shares brilliant information. He offers great support and attention to detail, a well-deserved 5-star rating!”
RG
Rosie Gulbis
CandidatePlaced at Forge Coffee
“Alex connects top talents with leading hospitality employers. His friendly, personalised service and industry expertise make the job search enjoyable and successful.”
ST
Sandra Torrano Marcos
CandidatePlaced by Alexander
“Alex was great! He found me a sous chef position in a company perfect for what I was looking for. He made sure it was the right fit and that I would be happy long term. Outstanding.”
RL
Rachel Lunn
CandidatePlaced at Pomelo
“Very useful service, would recommend to anyone in the hospitality industry looking for chefs.”
A
Alysia
EmployerBelle Époque Patisserie

Pricing & Packages

Perth & South West WA Hospitality Recruitment Packages

Both packages include our placement guarantee and are priced at a competitive commission based on the candidate's first-year salary.

✓Zero Upfront Risk✓No Placement, No Payment✓Free Replacement Within Rebate✓Up to 20 Week Rebate

Professional

Our foundation service. We handle the full search: consultation call, role brief, AI generated job description, advertising, screening, right to work checks, salary benchmarking and interview coordination. You receive a curated shortlist of two to three people worth meeting, with performance tracking and a 12 week rebate to protect your investment.

Free 15-minute consultation call
Online role brief, completed in your own time
AI generated job description for your review and approval
Salary benchmarking
Online & social media advertising
Professional candidate sourcing
Professional candidate screening
Candidate one to one briefing before interview
Right to work checks
2–3 candidate shortlist
Rapid response staffing
4 and 12 week performance tracking
Retention guarantee
Candidate & client feedback
24/7 direct CEO contact
Payment within 14 days of start
12 week rebate or free replacement
Wellness Perks Portfolio for placed candidate

Get Started

Commission % of first-year salary · confirmed on consultation call

Recommended

Premium

Everything in Professional, extended. Premium advertising, targeted headhunting, cultural fit assessment, contract review and a dedicated senior consultant from brief to handover. Our 20-week rebate period and retention consultation give you the deepest level of confidence in every hire.

Everything in Professional, plus:
Premium online advertisement
Targeted sourcing & headhunting
Cultural fit assessment
Contract review & advice
3–5 thoroughly vetted shortlist
Dedicated senior consultant
Onboarding support
20 week performance tracking
Retention consultation
Extended 20 week rebate or free replacement
Wellness Perks Portfolio for candidate & whole team

Book a Free Consultation Call

Commission % of first-year salary · confirmed on consultation call

Not sure which package suits your needs? Book a free consultation call and we'll guide you through the right choice.

Our Wellness Partners

Let's Talk

Ready to Build a Team That Actually Stays?

Book a free 15-minute consultation using the calendar, or send your details below and we'll get back to you within one business day. You'll also receive a copy of our Salary Benchmark Guide for 2026.

Send an Enquiry

We'll respond within one business day.

Guaranteed: if a placement doesn't work out, we offer a rebate or free replacement for 12 weeks on Professional or up to 20 weeks on Premium.

Book a 15-Minute Call

Free, no-obligation consultation call.

Can't see the calendar? Book directly on Calendly

+61 461 312 490·enquiries@cookatoo.com.au

Common Questions

Everything You Need to Know.

Cookatoo operates on a success-only basis, you pay a placement fee only when we successfully place a candidate who starts in the role. There are no upfront costs, retainers or subscription fees. Our fee is a competitive percentage of the placed candidate's first-year salary, discussed and agreed before we begin.

We recruit across Perth metro, including Fremantle, Northbridge, Subiaco, South Perth, Scarborough, Cottesloe, Claremont and Joondalup, as well as the South West WA region, including Margaret River, Busselton, Dunsborough, Bunbury, Yallingup, Pemberton, Manjimup and Augusta.

We specialise in permanent placements across all front and back of house roles: Head Chef, Sous Chef, Chef de Partie, Restaurant Manager, Front of House Manager, Bar Manager, Barista, Events Coordinator, Hotel Manager and Sommelier. If your role is not listed, get in touch, we are happy to discuss.

No. Cookatoo focuses exclusively on permanent placements. Our belief is that high turnover is one of the biggest problems in hospitality, and that permanent hires are the most effective solution. If you need long-term stability in your team, we are the right fit.

Our Professional package includes a 12-week rebate period or free replacement if a placement does not work out. Our Premium package extends this to a 20-week rebate period or free replacement, giving you greater protection on senior or hard-to-fill roles.

After your consultation and once you have signed our agreement, we send you a private link to our online role brief. It works like a conversation and most employers take 20 to 30 minutes, done in their own time, and you can pause and come back to it whenever suits. Our AI then generates a complete job description from your answers for you to review, edit, and approve before we begin the search. You can brief a role straight away or wait until you are ready to hire.

Timelines vary depending on the role and how quickly candidates are available, but most placements are completed within 2 to 6 weeks from brief to accepted offer. Senior or specialist roles can take longer. We will give you a realistic timeframe at the start of every engagement.

✓In-depth interview covering work history, motivations, culture preferences and career goals.
✓Reference verification with previous employers to confirm experience and work ethic.
✓Practical assessment against the specific demands of your role and venue type.
✓Personal endorsement: we only present candidates we would genuinely hire ourselves.
✓You will never receive a bulk CV drop. Every shortlist is curated.

We cannot guarantee it. Candidates are scored on merit. Team and personality fit differ for every venue and depend on human judgement, which can be affected by bias and cannot be measured with complete accuracy, so we may not always get it right. Fit is confirmed through interviews and trial shifts, and chemistry is your decision. We reduce the risk with fairness audits of our scoring and a personal review of every shortlist, and your feedback after interviews and trials helps us improve future matches. The rebate and replacement period applies if a placement does not work out.

Cookatoo was founded by Alexander Scrase, who spent 14 years working in hospitality, from cafes and fine dining in Perth to Michelin-starred kitchens in London. We recruit from the inside out: every candidate is personally vetted by someone who has done the work themselves. We do not bulk-send CVs. We present a small, curated shortlist of people we would genuinely hire.

Where We Operate

Proudly Serving Perth & South West WA

Cookatoo is a Western Australian recruitment agency, built for Western Australian hospitality. We know the venues, the market, and the talent because we're part of it.

Perth Metro

Service Area

From Fremantle's waterfront dining to the CBD's rooftop bars and inner-suburb neighbourhood gems, we recruit across every Perth suburb and style of venue.

Perth CBD Fremantle Subiaco Leederville Mount Lawley Northbridge South Perth Cottesloe Nedlands Claremont Scarborough Victoria Park Applecross Joondalup Mandurah Midland Cockburn

South West WA

Service Area

Margaret River, Busselton, Dunsborough and beyond. We understand the seasonal rhythms and year-round staffing needs of WA's most celebrated wine and food region.

Margaret River Busselton Dunsborough Yallingup Bunbury Cowaramup Pemberton Augusta Manjimup

Based outside these areas? Get in touch and we'd love to hear from you.

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