Sous Chef

Pony Dining Group; Sydney; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Pony Dining The Rocks in Sydney is seeking a technically strong cook who is ready to step up into kitchen leadership. You will work directly with our Head Chef, driving daily operations across the pass and all sections, while developing the team and upholding exacting standards during peak service.

You will lead on the grill with a fire-driven menu, ensuring flawless mise en place, precise execution and consistent plating night after night.

Qualifications

• Premium kitchen experience or hatted kitchen background
• Strong leadership and team development skills
• Excellent time management under busy service
• Flair for fire-driven cooking and modern Australian cuisine

Responsibilities

• Drive service from the pass and across every section with the Head Chef
• Maintain flawless mise en place and consistent plating from prep to service
• Coach and develop junior cooks and new team members
• Oversee stock rotation, waste control, and food safety with high standards

Skills

Leadership

Mentorship

Communication

Fire cooking

Attention to detail

Job description

Pony Dining The Rocks is one of Sydney's most loved kitchens, built around open flame cooking, exceptional Australian produce and a team that takes real pride in every plate that crosses the pass. Set in the heart of The Rocks, we cook with fire, with flavour and with serious ambition.

We're looking for a technically strong cook who is ready to step up into kitchen leadership. Working directly alongside our Head Chef, you'll be the link between the pass and the sections, driving daily operations, developing the team around you and holding the standard when service is at its busiest.

This is your chance to sharpen your craft on the grill, learn from a chef team that genuinely invests in its people, and grow your career with a group that's expanding. If you're ready to lead as well as cook, we want to hear from you.

Running the Kitchen & Owning Service

Stand shoulder to shoulder with the Head Chef, driving service from the pass and across every section

Make sure every station is locked and loaded with flawless mise en place before the doors open

Take the reins and lead the kitchen with confidence when the Head Chef is off

Cooking at the Highest Level

Deliver our fire-driven menu with precision and consistency, plate after plate, night after night

Know your technique, know your produce and know the story behind every dish you send

Help build a kitchen culture where excellence, discipline and care show up in everything we do

Building a Brilliant Team

Coach and back your Chef de Parties and commis through every service

Help bring new cooks into the Pony family and get them firing fast

Set the tone on standards, flow and accountability so the whole kitchen lifts

Keeping the Engine Running

Work with the Head Chef on ordering, stock rotation and keeping waste tight

Own food safety, HACCP and WHS standards with zero compromise

Keep the kitchen sharp, clean and organised from first prep to final pack down

Who We're Looking For

You've cooked in a premium or hatted kitchen and you're hungry for more

You know your way around fire, premium produce and modern Australian cooking

You've got serious technical chops and a real love for cooking over flame

You're stepping into leadership and you stay calm and in control when service gets hot

You're organised, dependable and obsessed with the details

What Success Looks Like

Your sections are ready, organised and humming before the first ticket lands

The cooks around you feel guided, supported and clear on the standard every single shift

The food is just as good whether the Head Chef is on the pass or not

You become a leader the kitchen trusts and rallies behind

Why Join the Opening Team

This is a rare opportunity to join a flagship Sydney venue from day one. Working alongside an experienced culinary team, helping shape the kitchen culture, and delivering food that sets a new benchmark for modern Australian dining.