Sous Chef - Banquets (RACV City Club)

RACV; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

RACV City Club in Melbourne is seeking a Sous Chef – Banquets to lead our fast-paced functions kitchen and drive the brigade through high-volume service.

You will lead the banquet brigade, design menus with flair and cost awareness, coach the team, manage rosters and stock, and ensure safety, hygiene and presentation at events and Club promotions.

This role sits within a respected hospitality network across Victoria, offering room to grow with RACV's City Club and resorts.

Qualifications

• Trade qualification as a chef (apprenticeship or Cert III in Commercial Cookery).
• Experience as Sous Chef or Chef de Partie in high-volume settings.
• Strong banquets experience with sauces, larder, vegetables and butchery.
• Ability to train staff and lead by example.
• Good cost control and time management under pressure.
• Passion for cooking and high presentation standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead the banquet brigade and coordinate every section of the kitchen.
• Create and review menus to balance quality and cost.
• Develop and coach the culinary team.
• Manage rosters, stocktakes, requisitions and food costs.
• Maintain health, safety and hygiene with maintenance plans.
• Represent the kitchen at events and Club promotions.

Skills

Banquets leadership

Menu design

High-volume service

Coaching & training

Cost control

Food safety & HACCP

Front-of-house coordination

Education

Trade qualification as a chef (apprenticeship or Cert III in Commercial Cookery)

Job description

RACV City Club is one of Melbourne's best-known venues, with members, guests and events running seven days a week. We're looking for a Sous Chef – Banquets to run our functions kitchen and lead the brigade through busy, high-volume service.

What you'll be doing

• Leading the banquet brigade. You'll coordinate every section of the kitchen, keep communication tight with front of house, and set the pace on large-scale service.

• Creating menus. You'll review current dishes and design new menus, using your flair for presentation while finding smart ways to keep costs down.

• Developing your team. You'll coach, train and give regular feedback so your chefs keep improving and morale stays high.

• Running the kitchen as a business. You'll manage rosters, stocktakes, requisitions and food costs to keep the kitchen performing well.

• Keeping the kitchen safe and well run. You'll set equipment maintenance and cleaning schedules and take the lead on health, safety and hygiene.

• Showcasing the kitchen. You'll represent the kitchen through events, food displays and Club promotions.

What you'll bring

• A trade qualification as a chef (an apprenticeship or Cert III in Commercial Cookery), plus Food Handlers and OH&S certificates

• Experience as a Sous Chef or Chef de Partie, ideally in a 4–5 star hotel or a similar high-volume operation

• Strong functions and banquets experience, with solid skills in sauces, cold larder, vegetables and butchery

• Hands‑on experience training staff and a coaching style that builds people up

• Good cost control and time management, and the ability to stay calm when the dockets stack up

• A passion for cooking, high standards of presentation, and the habit of leading by example

Why RACV?

At RACV, we aim to be a good company famous for not letting people down. Our IACT values shape how we work, and we create an environment where everyone can do their best work. You'll be part of a large hospitality network that includes the City Club and resorts across Victoria and Queensland, which gives you room to grow your career.

Our difference

At RACV, we believe that maintaining a diverse and inclusive workplace is an important element in our continued success. We want our people to feel welcome, supported and appreciated for who they are and what they bring to our business. If you require any reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process and/or the role, please let our Talent Acquisition Team know.

Application Process

Applicants will be required to provide evidence of their eligibility to work in Australia and consent to a criminal record check.

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