Sous Chef | Esplanade Hotel

Australian Venue Co.; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Espy, Melbourne’s iconic live music venue, operates under Australian Venue Co. We are seeking an experienced Sous Chef to lead day-to-day kitchen operations in a high-volume, seasonal setting at The Espy in St Kilda.

You will take hands-on leadership, mentor junior chefs, ensure top standards of food safety and presentation, and adapt to seasonal demand while working closely with the Head Chef to deliver a consistently excellent service.

Qualifications

• Minimum experience as Sous Chef or senior kitchen leader.
• Strong knowledge of kitchen operations and food safety.
• Ability to remain calm, focused and professional under pressure.
• Excellent communication and people-management skills.
• Adaptable to seasonal demand and fast-paced venue.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day kitchen operations across busy, high-volume services.
• Support and develop junior chefs and kitchen staff.
• Maintain high standards of food preparation, presentation and safety.
• Keep service organized and efficient during peak periods.
• Collaborate with Head Chef to ensure a consistent operation.

Skills

Leadership

Food safety

High-volume environment

Team management

Calm under pressure

Job description

The iconic Esplanade Hotel (The Espy) is one of St Kilda’s best-known venues, with a long history as a Melbourne live music and hospitality institution. Sitting right on the St Kilda foreshore, The Espy brings together multiple bars, dining spaces, live entertainment and a high-volume kitchen operation that comes alive across weekends, events and the warmer months.We’re looking for an experienced Sous Chef to join the kitchen leadership team and help run day-to-day kitchen operations across a busy, seasonal venue.This is a role for someone who is confident leading a team, knows how to keep a kitchen moving during a big service and can stay calm, focused and professional when the pressure is on.What you’ll be doingTake a hands-on leadership role across day-to-day kitchen operationsLead and support the kitchen team through busy, high-volume servicesKeep service organised, efficient and consistent, particularly during peak periodsMaintain high standards of food preparation, quality, presentation and food safetyMake quick, practical decisions when service becomes challengingCommunicate clearly and positively with the kitchen and wider venue teamSupport the development of junior chefs and help build a positive kitchen cultureManage kitchen organisation, stock control and preparationAdapt kitchen operations and staffing to seasonal demand and changing tradeWork closely with the Head Chef to maintain standards and deliver a consistent operationWhat we’re looking forWe’re looking for a calm, capable and experienced Sous Chef who is comfortable taking ownership of a busy kitchen.You’ll bring:Previous experience as a Sous Chef or in a senior kitchen leadership roleStrong knowledge of kitchen operations and food safetyThe ability to remain calm, focused and professional under pressureConfidence leading a team in a high-volume environmentStrong communication and people-management skillsA practical, hands-on approach to serviceExcellent organisation and attention to detailA genuine interest in developing junior chefs and creating a positive kitchen cultureThe ability to adapt to a seasonal, fast-paced venueWhy join us?Access to 250+ venues across Australia with generous staff discountsCareer progression and development opportunities across AVCOpportunities to relocate or move between venues as your career developsA supportive team environment with experienced hospitality leadersBe part of one of Melbourne’s most iconic hospitality and live entertainment venuesIf you thrive in a busy kitchen, enjoy leading from the front and know how to keep a team focused when the pressure is on, we’d love to hear from you.