With the opening of our new North Adelaide venue, Mercato is seeking an experienced Sous Chef who will be instrumental in managing day-to-day kitchen operations, supporting the Head Chef, and ensuring our Italian-inspired menu is delivered with consistency and excellence.

About the Role

As Sous Chef, you will work closely with the Head Chef to oversee daily kitchen operations, ensuring consistency, quality, and creativity in every dish. This is a hands-on leadership role where you will:

Assist in planning, preparing, and executing menus that celebrate Italian cuisine.

Oversee daily prep work and mise en place; ensure all stations are fully ready before service.

Supervise staff on shift, allocate tasks to chefs de partie / line cooks, apprentices, manage scheduling, and ensure smooth service during peak periods.

Liaise with Front of House management and staff to ensure timing, presentation, and communication are aligned; help resolve any service issues that cross kitchen / FOH.

Monitor and control inventory — order supplies, check deliveries for quality, manage stock rotation (FIFO), ensure no items run out unexpectedly.

Maintain kitchen hygiene, safety, and sanitation standards; ensure compliance with food safety regulations.

Stand in for the Head Chef as needed — leading the kitchen, making decisions about the flow of service, and handling unexpected issues.

Contribute to a positive, respectful, and team-focused culture where personalities are valued and collaboration thrives.

What We’re Looking For

We’re searching for someone who is passionate, resilient, and thrives in a dynamic environment. To succeed in this role, you’ll need:

Proven experience as a Sous Chef (or strong experience as a Senior Chef de Partie ready to step up).

A strong background in Italian cuisine and cooking techniques.

Leadership skills to guide, train, and motivate apprentices and experienced chefs alike.

Excellent communication skills to work effectively with both the kitchen and front-of-house teams.

A commitment to quality, organisation, and Mercato’s culture of dedicated service and joy through food.

Why Join Mercato?

At Mercato, we are more than a workplace—we’re a family, passionate about inspiring people to eat, drink, and live the Italian way. You’ll be part of a vibrant team, working in a stunning new venue with opportunities to grow and make your mark.

The Details

Location: North Adelaide

Immediate start available for the right candidate

Competitive remuneration, supportive leadership, and a collaborative team environment

We look forward to receiving your application!

Note: Applicants must be in Adelaide and eligible to work in Australia. No sponsorship is available for this role, onshore applications only.