sous chef

Mensa Dining Room and Bar; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff meals

On-going training

Work-life balance

Job summary

Mensa Dining Room and Bar in Kent Town SA 5067 is seeking an experienced Sous Chef to join our culinary team on a full-time basis. You will work closely with our Executive Chef to oversee day-to-day kitchen operations, lead the kitchen brigade and ensure excellence across all dishes.

You will manage staff, maintain health and safety standards, and contribute to menu development while driving quality, consistency and innovation in a fine-dining, upmarket casual setting.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5-7 years' professional cooking experience in fine dining or upmarket casual restaurant environments.
• Proven experience as a Sous Chef or in a senior kitchen leadership position.
• Advanced culinary skills with strong knowledge of food preparation techniques, cooking methods and plating.
• Excellent leadership and team management capabilities with the ability to train and motivate kitchen staff.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of kitchen operations and maintain food quality standards during service.
• Assist the Executive Chef in menu planning, development and implementation of new dishes.
• Manage kitchen staff scheduling, training and performance to ensure smooth service execution.
• Prepare and cook dishes to the highest standard, maintaining consistency and presentation.
• Monitor food costs, portion control and inventory management to maintain profitability.
• Ensure strict compliance with health and safety regulations and food hygiene standards.
• Maintain kitchen equipment and coordinate maintenance and repairs as required.
• Lead by example, demonstrating strong work ethic, professionalism and attention to detail.
• Handle quality control checks on all dishes before they leave the kitchen.
• Support the Executive Chef in implementing restaurant policies and procedures.

Skills

Senior kitchen leadership

Leadership

Food safety

Plating techniques

Menu development

Time management

Job description

About the role

Mensa Dining Room and Bar is seeking an experienced Sous Chef to join our culinary team on a full-time basis in Kent Town SA 5067. This is a pivotal position within our kitchen hierarchy, where you will work closely with our Executive Chef to oversee day-to-day kitchen operations, maintain our high standards of food quality, and lead our kitchen brigade. As Sous Chef, you will play a crucial role in ensuring consistency, excellence and innovation across all our dishes, whilst managing kitchen staff and maintaining health and safety standards.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of kitchen operations and maintain food quality standards during service
• Assist the Executive Chef in menu planning, development and implementation of new dishes
• Manage kitchen staff scheduling, training and performance to ensure smooth service execution
• Prepare and cook dishes to the highest standard, maintaining consistency and presentation
• Monitor food costs, portion control and inventory management to maintain profitability
• Ensure strict compliance with health and safety regulations and food hygiene standards
• Maintain kitchen equipment and coordinate maintenance and repairs as required
• Lead by example, demonstrating strong work ethic, professionalism and attention to detail
• Handle quality control checks on all dishes before they leave the kitchen
• Support the Executive Chef in implementing restaurant policies and procedures

What we're looking for

• Minimum 5-7 years' professional cooking experience in fine dining or upmarket casual restaurant environments
• Proven experience as a Sous Chef or in a senior kitchen leadership position
• Advanced culinary skills with strong knowledge of food preparation techniques, cooking methods and plating
• Excellent leadership and team management capabilities with the ability to train and motivate kitchen staff
• Comprehensive understanding of food safety, health and hygiene regulations and practices
• Strong organisational and time management skills with the ability to work under pressure during service
• Proficiency in kitchen management systems and inventory control
• Creative mindset with the ability to contribute to menu development and innovation
• Culinary qualifications or formal training in hospitality (desirable but not essential)
• Knowledge of contemporary cooking trends and techniques is highly valued
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

What we offer

Mensa Dining Room and Bar is committed to creating an exceptional workplace culture where our team members can thrive. We offer competitive remuneration commensurate with experience, opportunities for professional development and growth within the hospitality industry, and a collaborative kitchen environment where creativity is encouraged. We provide on-going training and mentoring to support career progression, staff meals and a supportive workplace that values work-life balance. We foster an inclusive and respectful culture where all team members are valued and appreciated.

About us

Mensa Dining Room and Bar is a respected establishment in Kent Town, dedicated to delivering exceptional culinary experiences and outstanding hospitality. We pride ourselves on our commitment to quality, innovation and creating memorable dining experiences for our guests. Our team is passionate about food, service and creating a welcoming atmosphere. We celebrate diversity, encourage creativity and maintain high standards across all aspects of our operations. We are an employer committed to providing a positive workplace culture and supporting the professional development of our staff.