About the Role

The Sous Chef plays a critical role in supporting the Head Chef with kitchen operations, ensuring the delivery of high-quality food while maintaining a strong social impact focus.

This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about both food and social change, with the ability to mentor and support trainees from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds to improve their workplace confidence and skills.

Many of the trainees are new to commercial kitchens and have English as a second language, requiring patience, guidance, and structured training.

Working hours are generally daytime with some Saturday and evenings required depending on confirmed orders.

Key Responsibilities

Kitchen Operations: Assist the Head Chef in managing daily kitchen activities, ensuring smooth operations and adherence to food safety standards.

Supplier and Inventory Management: Oversee ingredient ordering, stock control, and supplier relationships to maintain efficient kitchen workflows.

Quality and Compliance: Maintain high standards of food quality, hygiene, and workplace health and safety (WHS) in compliance with industry regulations.

Training and Mentoring: Support HOWC trainees by providing hands-on kitchen training, demonstrating cooking techniques, and guiding them through food preparation and service tasks.

Corporate Catering Delivery: Assist in the preparation and timely dispatch of catering orders, ensuring food presentation meets customer expectations.

Cleaning and Maintenance: Uphold a clean and organised kitchen environment, ensuring all equipment is properly maintained.

Collaboration: Work closely with the HOWC team and the Social Enterprise Lead to continuously improve processes, contribute to menu development, and support the overall mission of the enterprise.

Key Selection Criteria

Formal qualifications in commercial cookery (Certificate III or IV in Commercial Cookery or equivalent experience).

Experience as a Sous Chef, Chef de Partie, or in a similar role within a catering or commercial kitchen environment, minimum 5 years' experience.

Experience in event catering or high-volume food production.

Strong leadership and mentoring skills, with the ability to train and support individuals with varying levels of experience and English proficiency.

Excellent knowledge of food safety standards, WHS requirements, and kitchen compliance regulations.

Ability to manage kitchen operations efficiently, including ordering, stock control, and workflow coordination.

Strong teamwork and communication skills, with a flexible and adaptive approach.

Current Food Safety Supervisor certification.

Holds a current NSW Driver's license and has Australian working rights.

Desirable Criteria

Interest in culturally diverse culinary cultures.

A passion for social impact and experience working with people from diverse backgrounds, particularly those facing barriers to employment.

Experience in social enterprises, community kitchens, or training environments.

Experience working with vulnerable groups, including refugees, people seeking asylum, or individuals with special needs.

The successful candidate must have Australian Citizenship or Permanent Residency, have Australian working rights and be living in Australia. We do not offer sponsorship.

A Working with Children Check and other security checks will be required.

Why Work With Us?

This is a unique opportunity to be part of a purpose-driven team that uses food as a tool for empowerment, inclusion, and economic independence. You will work in a supportive and collaborative environment while making a real difference in people’s lives. Benefits include:

Generous salary packaging options (up to $15,999 in tax benefit)

$500 professional development allowance and 1 week of professional development leave per year

Additional two days wellbeing leave per year

Access to the Employee Assistance Program

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your experience against the Selection Criteria and why you would be a good fit for this role. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with applicants informed of their progress and provided with feedback where requested.

For more information, contact House of Welcome Catering’s Social Enterprise Lead Janine Hoffman at [email protected].