Sous Chef | Esplanade Hotel

Australian Venue Co.; Saint Kilda Junction; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Esplanade Hotel (The Espy) in St Kilda is a Melbourne icon, famed for live music, dining and events. Australian Venue Co. seeks an experienced Sous Chef to support day-to-day kitchen leadership in a high-volume, seasonal setting on the St Kilda foreshore.

You will lead hands-on service, maintain quality and safety, and help develop the kitchen team under the Head Chef. This role offers scope across AVC venues and a dynamic hospitality culture.

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Sous Chef or in a senior kitchen leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of kitchen operations and food safety.
• Ability to remain calm, focused and professional under pressure.
• Confidence leading a team in a high-volume environment.
• Strong communication and people-management skills.
• A practical, hands-on approach to service.
• Excellent organisation and attention to detail.
• Genuine interest in developing junior chefs and creating a positive kitchen culture.
• Ability to adapt to a seasonal, fast-paced venue.
• Access to 250+ venues across Australia with generous staff discounts.

Responsibilities

• Take a hands-on leadership role across day-to-day kitchen operations.
• Lead and support the kitchen team through busy, high-volume services.
• Keep service organised, efficient and consistent, particularly during peak periods.
• Maintain high standards of food preparation, quality, presentation and food safety.
• Make quick, practical decisions when service becomes challenging.
• Communicate clearly and positively with the kitchen and wider venue team.
• Support the development of junior chefs and help build a positive kitchen culture.
• Manage kitchen organisation, stock control and preparation.
• Adapt kitchen operations and staffing to seasonal demand and changing trade.
• Work closely with the Head Chef to maintain standards and deliver a consistent operation.

Skills

Leadership

Kitchen operations

Food safety

Communication

Team development

High-volume service

Organisation

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 doing

• Take a hands-on leadership role across day-to-day kitchen operations
• Lead and support the kitchen team through busy, high-volume services
• Keep service organised, efficient and consistent, particularly during peak periods
• Maintain high standards of food preparation, quality, presentation and food safety
• Make quick, practical decisions when service becomes challenging
• Communicate clearly and positively with the kitchen and wider venue team
• Support the development of junior chefs and help build a positive kitchen culture
• Manage kitchen organisation, stock control and preparation
• Adapt kitchen operations and staffing to seasonal demand and changing trade
• Work closely with the Head Chef to maintain standards and deliver a consistent operation

What we’re looking for

We’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 role
• Strong knowledge of kitchen operations and food safety
• The ability to remain calm, focused and professional under pressure
• Confidence leading a team in a high-volume environment
• Strong communication and people-management skills
• A practical, hands-on approach to service
• Excellent organisation and attention to detail
• A genuine interest in developing junior chefs and creating a positive kitchen culture
• The ability to adapt to a seasonal, fast-paced venue
• Access to 250+ venues across Australia with generous staff discounts
• Career progression and development opportunities across AVC
• Opportunities to relocate or move between venues as your career develops
• A supportive team environment with experienced hospitality leaders
• Be part of one of Melbourne’s most iconic hospitality and live entertainment venues