Sous chef

About us

Bacon Brothers is a dynamic and innovative hospitality establishment dedicated to delivering exceptional culinary experiences. With a passion for quality ingredients, creative cooking, and outstanding customer service, we've built a reputation as a destination for food enthusiasts. Our team is driven by a commitment to excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement in everything we do.

About the role

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Sous Chef to join our kitchen team at our New Brighton Canterbury location. This full-time position will be crucial to the success of our culinary operations. As Sous Chef, you will work closely with our Head Chef to ensure the highest standards of food preparation, presentation, and consistency across all dishes. You will lead by example, inspire your kitchen team, and play a vital role in maintaining our reputation for culinary excellence.

What you'll be doing

• Assisting the Head Chef in planning menus, developing new dishes, and refining existing recipes
• Overseeing food preparation and cooking, ensuring all dishes meet our exacting quality standards
• Managing kitchen operations during service, maintaining pace and efficiency
• Training, supervising, and mentoring junior kitchen staff, providing guidance and constructive feedback
• Monitoring food costs, portion control, and minimising waste to optimise profitability
• Maintaining rigorous food hygiene and health and safety standards across the kitchen
• Ensuring stock levels are maintained and ordering ingredients as required
• Taking charge of the kitchen in the absence of the Head Chef and making decisions to ensure smooth operations
• Maintaining kitchen equipment in excellent working condition and reporting any issues promptly
• Contributing to a positive, collaborative kitchen environment and fostering a culture of continuous improvement

What we're looking for

• At least 5 years' experience working in a professional kitchen, with a minimum of 2 years in a supervisory or sous chef role
• Extensive knowledge of food preparation techniques, cooking methods, and culinary best practices
• Demonstrable expertise in menu planning and recipe development
• Strong leadership and team management skills with the ability to motivate and develop staff
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to multitask and work under pressure during service
• A keen eye for detail and a commitment to maintaining the highest standards of food presentation and quality
• Comprehensive understanding of food safety regulations, hygiene standards, and health and safety requirements
• Proficiency in kitchen management systems and inventory control
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with all team members
• A passion for culinary innovation whilst maintaining respect for classical techniques
• New Zealand Certificate (Level 4 or better) in Cookery, or a degree in hotel, restaurant and tourism management.

What we offer

At Bacon Brothers, we are committed to supporting our team's wellbeing and career development. We offer a competitive salary commensurate with your experience, along with benefits including staff meals, employee discounts, and the opportunity to work with quality ingredients in a state-of-the-art kitchen. We provide ongoing training and professional development opportunities to support your growth within our organisation. We understand the demands of a kitchen environment and are committed to promoting work-life balance and creating a positive workplace culture where every team member feels valued and respected. We welcome conversations about flexible working arrangements and any support you may require.

Apply now

If you are an ambitious and talented sous chef ready to take the next step in your culinary career with Bacon Brothers, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your experience and why you would be a great fit for this role.