Sous Chef | Eureka Hotel

Open Door Pub Co. Pty LTD; Geelong; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff discounts

Training & development

Career progression

Supportive leadership

Job summary

Eureka Hotel in Geelong is seeking an experienced Sous Chef to lead our kitchen and elevate the food offering. This hands-on leadership role suits a chef who thrives in a busy service and takes pride in quality and consistency.

Working closely with the Head Chef, you’ll coach the team, manage prep and stock, uphold food safety, and maintain high standards across presentation and cleanliness. Availability for evenings, weekends and busy periods is required.

Qualifications

• Previous experience as Sous Chef or strong CDP ready to step up.
• Experience in a busy pub, restaurant or high‑volume kitchen.
• Hands‑on chef who leads by example.
• Strong communication and team leadership skills.
• Ability to remain organised and calm during busy services.
• Passion for quality food and consistency.

Responsibilities

• Support the Head Chef with day‑to‑day kitchen operation.
• Lead and motivate the kitchen team during service.
• Ensure food is prepared and presented to a high standard.
• Work across a varied pub menu including classics and fresh dishes.
• Assist with ordering, stock control and kitchen organisation.
• Train and develop junior chefs.
• Maintain strong food safety, hygiene and cleanliness.
• Step up and lead the kitchen in the Head Chef’s absence.

Skills

Leadership

Team leadership

Communication

Food safety

Organised

Calm under pressure

Job description

Eureka Hotel is one of Geelong’s iconic venues, bringing together great food, live music, sport, events and a brand-new rooftop across a fully renovated venue. We’re now looking for an experienced and passionate Sous Chef to join our kitchen team and help take our food offering to the next level. This is a hands‑on leadership role suited to a chef who enjoys a busy service, knows how to lead a team and takes pride in delivering quality food consistently.

Working closely with the Head Chef, you’ll play an important role in the day‑to‑day running of the kitchen, supporting the team through busy services and helping maintain high standards across food quality, presentation, cleanliness and food safety.

What you’ll be doing

• Supporting the Head Chef with the day‑to‑day operation of the kitchen
• Leading and motivating the kitchen team during service
• Ensuring food is prepared and presented to a consistently high standard
• Working across a varied pub menu, including classics, fresh produce‑driven dishes and function offerings
• Assisting with ordering, stock control and kitchen organisation
• Training and developing junior chefs
• Maintaining strong food safety, hygiene and cleanliness standards
• Helping create a positive, professional and supportive kitchen culture
• Stepping up and taking charge of the kitchen in the Head Chef’s absence

What we’re looking for

• Previous experience as a Sous Chef, or a strong CDP ready to take the next step
• Experience in a busy pub, restaurant or high‑volume kitchen
• A hands‑on chef who leads by example
• Strong communication and team leadership skills
• Ability to remain organised and calm during busy services
• Passion for quality food and consistency
• Strong understanding of food safety and kitchen standards
• Availability to work across evenings, weekends and busy periods

Why join Eureka Hotel?

• Work at one of Geelong’s iconic and recently renovated venues
• Be part of a busy venue with live music, events, functions, sport and a rooftop
• Opportunity to work across a varied and exciting food operation
• Staff discounts across AVC venues
• Training and development opportunities
• Career progression within a large hospitality group
• Join a supportive kitchen leadership team

The work you do will directly impact everyone of our customers and our aim is to ensure our employees are provided with the support and knowledge to exceed our customers’ expectations.

Diversity, equity and inclusion

Australian Venue Co. promotes a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion through programs such as AVC Pride for LGBTQIA+ support, Her Hospo for empowering women, and a First Nations Committee for reconciliation. We are committed to growing our understanding and engagement in diversity, equity and inclusion to build a more inclusive industry.

We’re passionate about training and developing our team members and providing internal career advancement opportunities. At AVC, we turn hospo jobs into careers! Join our team and get access to our AdVanCe Career Pathways program, our in‑house development program that is tailored to the hospitality industry. If your next step is to become a Duty Manager, Assistant Venue Manager or Venue Manager, we can support you on your career journey.