Sous Chef

Citrine Bistro & Bar Olinda; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Citrine Bistro & Bar Olinda is seeking a Sous Chef to join our warm, community-focused kitchen in Olinda. You will work closely with the Head Chef to ensure consistently excellent dishes and smooth kitchen operations.

Bring your passion for seasonal produce, careful preparation and strong leadership to help guide a small team and contribute to evolving menus in a beautiful Dandenong Ranges setting.

Qualifications

• You’re a qualified chef with experience as a Sous Chef, or a strong Chef de Partie ready to take the next step.
• You bring an eye for detail: you notice the small things and understand how they shape the whole dining experience.
• You stay calm during busy services, communicate clearly and help the team do the same.
• You care about seasonal produce, thoughtful cooking and getting the fundamentals right.
• You take pride in consistency from prep to final plate, and you welcome feedback to grow.

Responsibilities

• Take pride in the detail, flavour and presentation of every dish.
• Support the Head Chef with daily kitchen operations and lead the kitchen in their absence.
• Help guide and develop a small, dedicated team through clear communication and a calm, respectful approach.
• Contribute to seasonal menu development and specials.
• Help manage ordering, stock rotation, food costs and waste.
• Maintain high standards of food safety, cleanliness and organisation.

Skills

Eye for detail

Calm under pressure

Team leadership

Seasonal menu development

Food cost management

Food safety

Organisation

Job description

Bring your eye for detail, your calm approach and your love of good food.

There’s a quiet confidence to a great Sous Chef. You notice the details, take pride in every plate and help bring out the best in the people around you. You care about doing things well—and you’re ready to keep growing.

If that sounds like you, we’d love to meet you.

Citrine Bistro & Bar is a warm, welcoming restaurant in the heart of Olinda, where locals and visitors to the Dandenong Ranges gather for special occasions, relaxed evenings and memorable meals.

Our approach follows the European bistro tradition: beautifully prepared, approachable, seasonal food, served with care and attention.

Sous Chef | Citrine Bistro & Bar, Olinda

About the Role

This is a hands-on role for someone who loves cooking and takes genuine satisfaction in a well-run kitchen. Working closely with our Head Chef, you’ll help deliver consistent food, contribute ideas and lead by example through preparation and service.

You’ll:

• Take pride in the detail, flavour and presentation of every dish


• Support the Head Chef with daily kitchen operations and lead the kitchen in their absence


• Help guide and develop a small, dedicated team through clear communication and a calm, respectful approach


• Contribute to seasonal menu development and specials


• Help manage ordering, stock rotation, food costs and waste


• Maintain high standards of food safety, cleanliness and organisation

About You

You’re a qualified chef with experience as a Sous Chef, or a strong Chef de Partie ready to take the next step.

You bring:

• An eye for detail: you notice the small things and understand how they shape the whole dining experience


• A calm approach: you stay focused during a busy service, communicate clearly and help the team do the same


• A passion for your craft: you care about seasonal produce, thoughtful cooking and getting the fundamentals right


• Pride in consistency: your standards carry through from preparation to the final plate


• A desire to grow: you welcome feedback, contribute ideas and want to develop your skills as both a chef and a leader


• Strong organisation, reliability and a willingness to pitch in


• Availability for evening and weekend services; a connection to the local area is a bonus

Why Join Citrine?

• Work closely with our Head Chef, with opportunities to learn, contribute and take on responsibility


• Bring your ideas to a seasonal menu that values quality produce and careful preparation


• Join a supportive team that values creativity, collaboration and respectful communication


• Be part of a growing, community-focused venue in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges


• Enjoy a competitive salary matched to your experience

We’re looking for someone who wants to excel in their craft and help the team around them succeed. A chef with heart, high standards and the patience to do things properly.

Ready to take your next step?