Sous Chef - Retail | Western Sydney Venues

Gema Group; New South Wales; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Gema Group is seeking a hands-on Sous Chef for our Western Sydney retail kitchens. You will support the Head Chef - Retail, lead a busy team during events, and ensure every dish meets our quality and presentation standards.

This senior role requires at least two years in a leadership kitchen, a culinary qualification, and Food Safety Supervisor certification. You’ll collaborate with operations and procurement to deliver excellent hospitality at Australia’s biggest events.

Qualifications

• Two years' experience as a Chef with leadership in high-volume stadium, venue, or QSR kitchens.
• Culinary qualification and Food Safety Supervisor certification are required.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Head Chef - Retail with day-to-day kitchen operations across stadium retail outlets.
• Lead and motivate kitchen staff to maintain quality and safety during busy event days.
• Oversee food preparation, cooking, and presentation to meet recipes and standards.
• Monitor event-day operations and coordinate with front-of-house and other teams.
• Ensure food safety, hygiene and IMS documentation is maintained.
• Train and mentor staff in culinary skills, safety, and procedures.
• Assist with stock management, ordering, storage and waste control.

Skills

Leadership

High-volume kitchen

Food safety knowledge

Time management

Education

Culinary qualification

Food Safety Supervisor certification

Job description

Sous Chef - Retail | Western Sydney Venues

Join the culinary team at Gema Group, a family-owned Australian hospitality business delivering food and beverage at some of the country's biggest sporting events and concerts. Our Western Sydney venues come alive all year round, and our retail kitchens are at the heart of the event-day experience, serving high volumes without compromising on quality.

We're looking for a passionate, hands-on Sous Chef to help lead our stadium retail kitchens alongside our Head Chef - Retail. You'll keep a close eye on food quality and consistency across multiple outlets, lead the team through busy event days, and help bring new and exciting retail activations to life.

What you'll be doing

Supporting the Head Chef - Retail with day-to-day kitchen operations across our stadium retail outlets, and stepping up in their absence

Leading and motivating the kitchen team to deliver great food in a safe, positive and productive environment

Overseeing food preparation, cooking and presentation so every item meets recipe, portion and quality standards

Monitoring event-day operations on the ground, including food distribution and quality control across outlets

Ensuring compliance with food safety, hygiene and our Integrated Management System (IMS), including accurate and timely documentation

Training and mentoring kitchen staff in culinary skills, food safety and operational procedures

Helping manage stock, ordering, storage and waste to keep costs on track without compromising quality

Working closely with front-of-house, operations, procurement and event teams for seamless service

Solving problems quickly on the day and looking for ways to improve efficiency, food quality and team performance

About you

At least two years' experience as a Chef, ideally including a leadership role in high-volume, stadium, venue or QSR kitchens

Culinary qualification

Food Safety Supervisor certified, with applied knowledge of OHS, Food Safety and HACCP requirements

A natural leader who builds trust and positive relationships with your team and colleagues

Calm under pressure, with good judgement and the ability to juggle competing priorities in a fast-changing environment

An eye for detail, with high standards for food quality and presentation

Strong organisational and time management skills, with some experience in stock control and cost management

Flexibility to work evenings, weekends and public holidays in line with the event calendar

A genuine passion for food and hospitality

Why GEMA

A permanent full-time role with a team that loves the thrill of event day

Be part of delivering Australia's biggest events with Australia's best events team

Work with a company known for its commitment to excellence, where culture and people come first

Grow your career with a national business operating venues and events across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland

This position is open to applicants based in Sydney, with our venues located in Western Sydney.