Sous Chef

Twelve Apostles Cafe; Port Campbell; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Career progression

Training & development

Supportive management

Ongoing training

Job summary

Twelve Apostles Café, opening a landmark 228-seat cafe, gelato bar and kiosk on the Great Ocean Road, seeks an experienced Sous Chef to lead with the Head Chef. You will run service, mentor staff, and uphold food safety while delivering exceptional guest experiences.

This is a genuine leadership role in a seven-day operation, offering ownership of kitchen operations and career progression toward Head Chef as the business grows.

Qualifications

• Certificate III in Commercial Cookery (or equivalent).
• 3+ years post-trade experience in a busy kitchen.
• Experience leading a kitchen section and confidently running service without 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 willingness to obtain Food Safety Supervisor certification prior to commencement.
• Full Australian working rights, ability to be based near the Great Ocean Road.

Responsibilities

• Lead kitchen operations and run full service independently, including weekends, public holidays, and peak tourism periods.
• Support the Head Chef across all aspects of kitchen management.
• Plan daily production, prepare prep lists, and coordinate kitchen workflow to meet forecast demand.
• Supervise, mentor, and train Commis Chefs and other back-of-house team members.
• Conduct section training and competency sign-offs to maintain consistency and quality.
• Maintain exceptional standards of food presentation, quality, and portion control.
• Enforce food safety, allergen management, cleaning schedules, and workplace health and safety procedures.
• Monitor stock levels, receive deliveries, rotate stock using FIFO principles, and assist with monthly stocktakes.
• Assist with ordering, inventory management, and minimising food waste.
• Contribute ideas for menu development, seasonal specials, and continuous improvement while meeting food cost targets.
• Foster a positive, collaborative, and high-performing kitchen culture.

Skills

Leadership

Time management

Communication

Organisation

Food safety

HACCP

Australian working rights

Education

Certificate III in Commercial Cookery

Job description

Are you an experienced hospitality leader looking for your next challenge in one of Australia's most iconic tourist destinations?

The Twelve Apostles Café is hiring its founding crew. We are opening a landmark 228-seat cafe, gelato bar and grab-and-go kiosk inside the new Twelve Apostles Visitor Experience Centre on the Great Ocean Road.

We're looking for an experienced and motivated Sous Chef to join the team. As our Sous Chef, you'll be the second-in-command of the kitchen, working closely with the Head Chef to lead and deliver consistently high-quality food and exceptional customer experiences. This is a genuine leadership role, offering the opportunity to take ownership of kitchen operations and develop your career towards a future Head Chef position.

About the Role

Working in a seven-day operation, you will alternate leadership responsibilities with the Head Chef, confidently managing full kitchen services in their absence. You will oversee daily food production, mentor junior chefs, maintain exceptional food safety standards, and ensure the kitchen operates efficiently during busy service periods.

This role is ideal for a confident and organised chef who enjoys leading by example and thrives in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead kitchen operations and run full service independently, including weekends, public holidays, and peak tourism periods.

• Support the Head Chef across all aspects of kitchen management.

• Plan daily production, prepare prep lists, and coordinate kitchen workflow to meet forecast demand.

• Supervise, mentor, and train Commis Chefs and other back-of-house team members.

• Conduct section training and competency sign-offs to maintain consistency and quality.

• Maintain exceptional standards of food presentation, quality, and portion control.

• Enforce food safety, allergen management, cleaning schedules, and workplace health and safety procedures.

• Monitor stock levels, receive deliveries, rotate stock using FIFO principles, and assist with monthly stocktakes.

• Assist with ordering, inventory management, and minimising food waste.

• Contribute ideas for menu development, seasonal specials, and continuous improvement while meeting food cost targets.

• Foster a positive, collaborative, and high-performing kitchen culture.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Certificate III in Commercial Cookery (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.

• Full Australian working rights, ability to be based near the Great Ocean Road.

Desirable Skills & Experience:

• Experience training apprentices, Commis Chefs, or junior kitchen staff.

• Experience in high-volume breakfast and lunch service.

• Previous experience in café, tourism, or fast-paced hospitality venues.

• A genuine desire to progress into a Head Chef position as the business continues to grow.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary based on experience.

• Opportunity to work at one of Australia's most iconic tourism destinations.

• Career progression into a Head Chef role.

• Supportive and collaborative management team.

• Ongoing training and professional development.

• A stable full-time position within a growing hospitality business.

• The opportunity to lead, inspire, and make a real impact on a developing venue.

If you're an experienced Sous Chef looking for your next leadership opportunity and are passionate about producing quality food while developing your team, we'd love to hear from you.