The iconic Esplanade Hotel (The Espy) is one of St Kilda’s best-known venues, with a long history as a Melbourne live music and hospitality institution. Sitting right on the St Kilda foreshore, The Espy brings together multiple bars, dining spaces, live entertainment and a high-volume kitchen operation that comes alive across weekends, events and the warmer months. We’re looking for an experienced Sous Chef to join the kitchen leadership team and help run day-to-day kitchen operations across a busy, seasonal venue. This is a role for someone who is confident leading a team, knows how to keep a kitchen moving during a big service and can stay calm, focused and professional when the pressure is on.

What you’ll be doing

- Take a hands-on leadership role across day-to-day kitchen operations
- Lead and support the kitchen team through busy, high-volume services
- Keep service organised, efficient and consistent, particularly during peak periods
- Maintain high standards of food preparation, quality, presentation and food safety
- Make quick, practical decisions when service becomes challenging
- Communicate clearly and positively with the kitchen and wider venue team
- Support the development of junior chefs and help build a positive kitchen culture
- Manage kitchen organisation, stock control and preparation
- Adapt kitchen operations and staffing to seasonal demand and changing trade
- Work closely with the Head Chef to maintain standards and deliver a consistent operation

What we’re looking for

- Previous experience as a Sous Chef or in a senior kitchen leadership role
- Strong knowledge of kitchen operations and food safety
- The ability to remain calm, focused and professional under pressure
- Confidence leading a team in a high-volume environment
- Strong communication and people-management skills




- A practical, hands‑on approach to service
- Excellent organisation and attention to detail
- A genuine interest in developing junior chefs and creating a positive kitchen culture
- The ability to adapt to a seasonal, quick-paced venue

Why join us?

- Access to 250+ venues across Australia with generous staff discounts
- Career progression and development opportunities across AVC
- Opportunities to relocate or move between venues as your career develops
- A supportive team environment with experienced hospitality leaders
- Be part of one of Melbourne’s most iconic hospitality and live entertainment venues

The work you do will directly impact everyone of our customers and our aim is to ensure our employees are provided with the support and knowledge to exceed our customers’ expectations.

Australian Venue Co. promotes a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion through programs like AVC Pride for LGBTQIA+ support, Her Hospo for empowering women, and a First Nations Committee for reconciliation. We are committed to growing our understanding and engagement in diversity, equity and inclusion to build a more inclusive industry.

Turn your hospo job into a rewarding career. Whether you’re already in a hospitality management role or you’re ready for career progression into management, you can take the next step with Australian Venue Co. We’re passionate about training & developing our team members and providing internal career advancement opportunities. At AVC, we turn hospo jobs into careers! Join our team & get access to our AdVanCe Career Pathways program, our in-house development program that is tailored to the hospitality industry. If your next step is to become a Duty Manager, Assistant Venue Manager or Venue Manager, we can support you on your career journey.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

📌 Sous Chef | Esplanade Hotel (Melbourne)
🏢 Open Door Pub Co.
📍 Melbourne