Sous Chef – New Venue
Hoopla Pakenham Kitchen & Bar
JOIN AN ESTABLISHED TEAM + BUSINESS IN A NEW STORE OPENING
Full-Time | Leadership Opportunity | $75,000 – $85,000 Salary Package
At Hoopla Kitchen & Bar, we are building a destination for families, food lovers, and people looking for a fun, energetic experience.
With the exciting launch of our brand-new Hoopla Pakenham Kitchen & Bar venue, we are searching for an experienced, passionate, and hands-on
Sous Chef
to assist the head chef in leading our kitchen from day one.
This is a genuine leadership role for someone who thrives in fast-paced hospitality environments, understands modern café/restaurant operations, and takes pride in building strong kitchen culture, systems, consistency, and quality.
We need the right person to execute it at a high standard whilst helping build and lead an exceptional kitchen team.
The Role
You will be responsible for ensuring the delivery of high-quality food, efficient service, excellent hygiene standards, and solid operational performance.
This is a venue-opening opportunity, meaning you will play a key role in setting the culture, standards, structure, and workflow of the kitchen from the beginning.
This is not a "clock in and clock out" role — we are looking for a true hospitality professional who takes pride in great and consistent food and building a successful team setting.
Weekends and Public are a must.
Key Responsibilities
Kitchen Leadership & Team Management
Train, lead, and mentor kitchen staff
Build a positive, high-performing kitchen culture
Create structure, accountability, and strong communication within the team




Assist in managing kitchen rosters and staffing requirements
Lead by example during busy service periods
Food Quality & Service
Deliver consistent, high-quality food standards
Ensure all dishes are presented correctly and efficiently
Maintain speed of service without compromising quality
Monitor portion control and kitchen consistency
Work closely with management to maintain brand standards
Operations & Kitchen Management
Oversee daily kitchen operations from open to close and cover the head chef's days off
Assist in managing and ordering, stock control, stock takes, and supplier relationships
Ensure compliance with food safety and hygiene standards
Maintain clean, organised, and professional kitchen operations
Assist in managing labor costs and productivity
Venue Opening Responsibilities
Assist with kitchen setup and operational systems
Help establish kitchen procedures and workflow
Assist the head chef in building the kitchen team prior to opening
Set expectations, standards, and processes from day one
About You
We are looking for someone who is:
An experienced Sous Chef ready for their next big role
Calm under pressure and confident during busy service
Organised, reliable, and operationally strong
Passionate about hospitality and quality food
Professional, hands-on, and proactive




Comfortable working in a fast-paced family entertainment venue
Weekends and peak hospitality periods are mandatory
Essential Experience & Requirements
Previous experience in a senior kitchen leadership role
Experience managing high-volume café or restaurant kitchens
Strong understanding of kitchen operations and team leadership
Knowledge of food safety and hospitality compliance
Ability to assist in managing and ordering, rostering, labor, and stock control
Strong communication and organisational skills
Full working rights in Australia
What We Offer
Salary package of $75,000 – $85,000 (based on experience)
Full-time secure role
Exciting new venue opening opportunity
Supportive management environment
Long-term growth opportunities within a growing entertainment brand
A vibrant, energetic workplace unlike traditional hospitality venues
Where else can a Sous Chef do almost all-day hours - minimal nights
Venue Information
Hoopla Pakenham Kitchen & Bar
Hoopla Pakenham Kitchen & Bar is a modern family entertainment venue combining hospitality, fun & food, all under one roof.
Our venues focus on creating memorable experiences for families while delivering high-quality food and exceptional service.
Apply Now
If you are a passionate hospitality leader ready to work in a brand-new kitchen and help launch an exciting new venue, who wants a long stable future, we would love to hear from you.
Please submit:
Your resume
A short cover letter outlining your experience
Availability and expected start date
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

📌 Sous Chef (Traralgon)
🏢 Hoopla Pakenham
📍 Traralgon