Sous Chef

About the role

SUD food and wine is seeking an experienced Sous Chef to join our culinary team in Melbourne VIC 3000. This is a full-time position that offers an exciting opportunity to work within a dynamic hospitality environment, supporting our Head Chef in delivering exceptional cuisine and maintaining the highest standards of food preparation and kitchen management. As Sous Chef, you will play a crucial role in ensuring operational excellence, leading kitchen staff, and maintaining consistency across all our dishes whilst upholding our commitment to quality and innovation.

Key responsibilities

• Assisting the Head Chef in menu planning, recipe development and kitchen operations to ensure all dishes meet our exacting standards

• Supervising and mentoring kitchen staff, including cooks and commis chefs, ensuring they adhere to food safety standards and company protocols

• Managing food preparation, cooking and presentation across all stations, maintaining consistency and quality

• Monitoring food costs, portion control and inventory management to optimise kitchen efficiency and profitability

• Ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations, food hygiene standards and workplace procedures at all times

• Training kitchen team members on cooking techniques, food handling procedures and customer service excellence

• Liaising with front-of-house staff to ensure seamless service and addressing any kitchen-related customer concerns

• Maintaining a clean, organised and safe working environment whilst managing stock rotation and equipment maintenance

• Stepping into the Head Chef role as required and contributing to continuous improvement initiatives within the kitchen

What we're looking for

• Minimum 3-5 years' professional cooking experience in a busy, high-quality kitchen or restaurant environment

• Proven experience working in a supervisory or leadership capacity, demonstrating the ability to manage and motivate kitchen staff effectively

• Strong knowledge of food preparation techniques, cooking methods, plating and presentation standards

• Comprehensive understanding of health and safety regulations, food hygiene standards and HACCP principles

• Ability to work under pressure whilst maintaining attention to detail, consistency and quality across all dishes

• Excellent organisational and time management skills with the capability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously

• Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with both kitchen and front-of-house teams

• Creativity and a passion for food, with a willingness to embrace new culinary trends and techniques

• Relevant culinary qualifications or apprenticeship training (desirable)

• Current food safety and hygiene certification (desirable)

What we offer

SUD food and wine is committed to supporting the wellbeing and career development of our team members. We offer competitive remuneration, opportunities for professional growth within the hospitality industry, and a supportive working environment where your culinary skills are valued and recognised. We foster a culture of collaboration and continuous learning, encouraging staff to develop their expertise and take on new challenges. Our workplace prioritises work-life balance and provides a respectful, inclusive environment where all team members can thrive.

About us

SUD food and wine is an acclaimed dining establishment in Melbourne, dedicated to delivering exceptional culinary experiences through innovative cuisine, premium ingredients and outstanding service. We pride ourselves on our commitment to excellence, creativity and hospitality. Our team is passionate about creating memorable dining moments for our guests, and we foster a workplace culture that values teamwork, continuous improvement and a genuine love of food and wine. We are looking for talented individuals who share our commitment to culinary excellence and creating exceptional guest experiences.

Apply now

If you are an experienced Sous Chef looking for an exciting opportunity to contribute to a dynamic culinary team, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your application with your CV and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience and why you are interested in joining SUD food and wine.