We are looking for a passionate, experienced, and dynamic Sous Chef to join our award-winning team at Rizla. Located in the heart of Central Canberra, our venue is a true standout—offering an exceptional atmosphere, a beautiful fit-out, and a renowned wine bar & restaurant. We pride ourselves on providing an environment where both customers and staff thrive.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a qualified chef with a genuine love for creating memorable dining experiences. With a busy service schedule 6 days a week and room for leadership, growth, and creativity, this role is perfect for someone who is ready to take the next step in their culinary career!

The Role:

We are looking for a skilled and motivated Sous Chef to contribute to the success of our kitchen operations. The position will work closely with the Head Chef and the duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

Key Responsibilities:

• Work closely with the Head Chef and Director to create and deliver exceptional menu items while staying attuned to market trends.
• Prepare and cook dishes according to the menu and standardized recipes.
• To monitor par levels of the food stock, and kitchen equipment and inform management when needed, perform stocktake and food items as requested by management, manage maintenance daily and report any issues to management.
• Oversee food preparation, ensuring freshness, quality, and adherence to food safety guidelines.
• Ensure consistent food quality and presentation in line with café standards.
• Rotating stock, ordering and maintaining food stock, food portion control, waste management, and stock purchase (receipt and storage);
• Supervise and train junior kitchen staff, ensuring they adhere to kitchen policies and procedures.
• Contribute to the development of a positive and collaborative kitchen culture.
• Adherence and awareness of Australian food & safety health standards & codes of practice.
• Maintain a clean and safe kitchen, ensuring all equipment is properly maintained and daily/weekly schedules are followed.
• Maximise the efficiency and productivity of kitchen staff and manage the preparation of food to ensure timely service.

What We're Looking For:

• Experience: 3+ years of experience in fine-casual dining. Previous roles as a Sous Chef, Junior Sous, or an exceptional Chef de Partie within a busy gastro-pub, casual restaurant, or club venue are essential.
• Work Ethic: A hard worker who is passionate about food and eager to learn.
• Leadership: Strong leadership skills with a calm and collaborative approach. We want a leader who fosters a positive, non-confrontational kitchen culture.
• Qualifications: Must be qualified in commercial cookery and understand the intricacies of kitchen operations.
• Personality: A team player with a genuine commitment to customer satisfaction and business growth.

Other details:

Job Type: Full Time, Permanent

Salary: AUD 75,000 per year plus superannuation

If you’re looking for a fantastic opportunity to grow in a supportive, high-performing environment, we’d love to hear from you! Apply today and become part of our incredible team. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted and your application will be treated as strictly confidential.