Junior Sous Chef

Twelve Apostles Cafe; Princetown; On-site; AUD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Twelve Apostles Café on Victoria's Great Ocean Road is seeking a passionate Junior Sous Chef to join our busy kitchen team at a iconic tourist destination.

You will support the Head Chef and Sous Chef, coordinate daily production across sections, mentor Chefs de Partie and junior staff, and uphold food safety, HACCP and presentation standards in a fast-paced, high-volume environment. Weekend work and Australian working rights are required.

Qualifications

• Certificate III in Commercial Cookery (minimum) or equivalent trade qualification.
• 3+ years post-trade experience in a busy commercial kitchen.
• Experience leading a kitchen section and running service without direct supervision.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organisational skills.
• Excellent time management and calm under pressure.
• Current Food Safety qualifications or willingness to obtain Food Safety Supervisor certification.

Responsibilities

• Lead kitchen operations and take full charge of service in the absence of senior staff.
• Mentor Chefs de Partie, Commis Chefs and Kitchen Attendants through coaching.
• Coordinate daily production, prep lists and ordering based on forecast demand.
• Maintain exceptional food quality, consistency and presentation across all sections.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, allergen management, HACCP and WHS.
• Oversee receiving, storage, stock rotation and assist with stocktakes.
• Support menu development, seasonal specials and cost targets.
• Escalate and report on kitchen performance and stock issues.
• Collaborate with wider kitchen and front-of-house leadership to deliver seamless service.

Skills

Leadership

Time management

Communication

Organisational skills

Food safety

Calm under pressure

Education

Certificate III in Commercial Cookery

Job description

Operated by Elizabeth Andrews Catering, the Twelve Apostles Café forms the hospitality sector within the new Twelve Apostles Visitor Experience Centre on Victoria’s spectacular Great Ocean Road. Welcoming more than two million visitors each year, the hospitality sector includes a 160-seat indoor café and restaurant, a 68-seat outdoor dining terrace, a premium grab-and-go kiosk, Timboon ice cream bar, a takeaway kiosk, and catering for tour groups and special events.

We are seeking a passionate Junior Sous Chef to join our kitchen team. This is an exciting opportunity for someone looking to further their hospitality career in a fast-paced, high-volume environment while working at one of Victoria's most recognised tourist destinations.

If you enjoy preparing quality food, thrive under pressure, and take pride in producing consistent meals, we'd love to hear from you.

Operated by Elizabeth Andrews Catering, the Twelve Apostles Café forms the hospitality sector within the new Twelve Apostles Visitor Experience Centre on Victoria’s spectacular Great Ocean Road. Welcoming more than two million visitors each year, the hospitality sector includes a 160-seat indoor café and restaurant, a 68-seat outdoor dining terrace, a premium grab-and-go kiosk, Timboon ice cream bar, a takeaway kiosk, and catering for tour groups and special events.

We are seeking a passionate Junior Sous Chef to join our kitchen team. This is an exciting opportunity for someone looking to further their hospitality career in a fast-paced, high-volume environment while working at one of Victoria's most recognised tourist destinations.

If you enjoy preparing quality food, thrive under pressure, and take pride in producing consistent meals, we'd love to hear from you.

About the Role

As Junior Sous Chef, you will support the Head Chef and Sous Chef in leading the daily operation of the kitchen. Stepping up to take full charge of service in the absence of both. You will coordinate production across sections, mentor Chefs de Partie, Commis Chefs, Cooks, Kitchen Attendants, and help maintain the consistency, quality and food safety standards the kitchen built on.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Head Chef and Sous Chef in leading kitchen operations and take full charge of service including opening, closing, stock security when neither is rostered on site.
• Independently run the ktichen, including weekends, public holidays and peak tourism periods in the absence of the Head Chef & Sous Chef.
• Coordinate daily production, prep lists and ordering based on forecast demand across the cafe, restaurant, kiosks, ice cream bar and catering operations.
• Mentor and develop Chefs de Partie, Commis Chefs and Kitchen Attendants through coaching.
• Maintain exceptionally food quality, consistency and presentation standards across all sections.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, allergen management, HACCP and workplace health and safety procedures, including when acting as the senior chef on shift.
• Oversee receiving, storage, stock rotation and assist with stocktakes, monitoring food costs and wastage.
• Support menu development, seasonal specials and continuous improvement while meeting food cost targets.
• Escalate and report to the Head Chef and Sous Chef on kitchen performance, incidents and stock issues arising during their absence.
• Work collaboratively with the wider kitchen brigade and front-of-house leadership team to deliver seamless service.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Certificate III in Commercial Cookery (minimum) or equivalent trade qualification.
• 3+ years post-trade experience in a busy commercial kitchen.
• Previous experience leading a kitchen section and confidently running service without direct supervision.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organisational skills.
• Excellent time management and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
• A thorough understanding of food safety, allergen management, and HACCP principles.
• Current Food Safety qualifications, or the willingness to obtain Food Safety Supervisor certification prior to commencement.
• Able to work weekends and public holidays.
• Full Australian working rights, ability to be based near the Great Ocean Road.

Desirable Applicants

The following will be highly regarded:

• Experience working in high-volume cafés, tourism venues, or busy restaurants.
• Experience training apprentices, Commis Chefs, or junior kitchen staff.
• Knowledge of stock control and food cost management.
• Food Safety Supervisor Certificate.
• Experience working with diverse menus and dietary requirements.
• Flexibility to work across a rotating roster.
• A genuine desire to progress into a Head Chef position as the business continues to grow.

Why Join Us?

• Work at one of Australia's most iconic tourist destinations.
• Be part of a supportive and passionate kitchen team.
• Ongoing training and opportunities for career development.
• Stable employment with opportunities for long-term career progression.

If you're passionate about cooking, enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, and want to be part of a team that delivers exceptional food and service to visitors from around the world, we'd love to hear from you.