Sous Chef

Royal Agricultural Society of NSW; Sydney; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sydney Royal Easter Show Tickets

EAP program

Free onsite parking

Job summary

The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW is seeking an experienced Sous Chef to join the Sydney Showground team in a permanent, full-time capacity. You will work under the Executive Chef to deliver exceptional culinary experiences across conferences, gala dinners, and the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

You will lead a high-performing kitchen, drive menu development, manage stock and costs, and ensure compliance with food safety standards while maintaining quality and presentation for events of varying

Qualifications

• Essential: Certificate in Commercial Cookery.
• Food safety, hygiene, and HACCP qualifications.
• WHS training.
• Proven experience supervising teams in a high-volume, multi-faceted kitchen environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Executive Chef with menu development and food innovation.
• Lead and supervise casual kitchen staff, including rostering, mentoring, and performance management.
• Oversee stock control, including rotation, ordering, and monthly stocktakes.
• Manage food and labour costs to meet budget targets.
• Ensure compliance with the Food Safety Plan, maintaining exceptional food quality and presentation.

Skills

Leadership

Menu development

Food safety & HACCP

Coaching & delegation

Communication under pressure

Education

Certificate in Commercial Cookery

Food safety training

WHS training

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Event software (Momentus or similar)

Job description

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Sous Chef to join the award-winning Sydney Showground team.

This permanent, full-time role offers the opportunity to work in one of Australia’s premier major event venues, delivering exceptional culinary experiences for a wide range of events, including conferences, gala dinners, exhibitions, and the iconic Sydney Royal Easter Show - one of the largest ticketed events in the Southern Hemisphere.

Reporting directly to the Executive Chef, you will play a key role in ensuring smooth kitchen operations, maintaining exceptional food quality, and leading a high-performing team during both day-to-day operations and major events.

Why Join Us

At Sydney Showground, part of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS), you’ll work in a fast-paced, supportive, and dynamic environment where no two days are the same.

Working at Sydney Showground means being part of a team that delivers world class events and unforgettable experiences for millions of visitors each year, in one of the country's most versatile and celebrated venues.

• Sydney Royal Easter Show Tickets
• a generous EAP program
• free onsite parking

Key Responsibilities

In this role, you will:

• Assist the Executive Chef and Executive Sous Chef with menu development and food innovation
• Lead and supervise casual kitchen staff, including rostering, mentoring, and performance management
• Oversee stock control, including rotation, ordering, and monthly stocktakes
• Manage food and labour costs to meet budget targets
• Ensure compliance with the Food Safety Plan, maintaining exceptional standards in food quality and presentation

This role is rostered 5 days per week across a 7-day operation and includes weekend, evening, and public holiday work as required.

About You

To succeed in this role, you will demonstrate:

• A passion for food and creating exceptional culinary experiences
• Strong leadership, coaching, and delegation skills
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work under pressure
• High attention to detail with a focus on quality and consistency
• Flexibility and adaptability in a fast-paced events environment
• A positive 'can-do' attitude

Qualifications & Experience

Essential:

• Certificate in Commercial Cookery
• Food safety, hygiene, and HACCP qualifications
• WHS training
• Proven experience supervising teams in a high-volume, multi-faceted kitchen environment

Technical Skills:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Familiarity with event software (e.g., Momentus, or similar)

About Us

The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting and celebrating Australian agriculture since 1822.

We proudly deliver the Sydney Royal Easter Show, Sydney Royal competitions, and manage Sydney Showground, the RAS Foundation, and the Australasian Animal Registry.

Sydney Showground also includes ENGIE Stadium, home to the GWS GIANTS AFL and Sydney Thunder BBL cricket teams.

Our values guide everything we do:

Respect | Ownership | Achievement | Honouring our Past | Embracing our Future

We are an equal opportunity employer that values diversity, inclusion, and the contributions of all team members.