An exciting opportunity has arisen for someone to join the Warrior Restaurant team as a ‘Sous Chef’!

Australia Zoo is an equal opportunity employer, where we recognise the diversity of our workforce and community – be it on the basis of gender, age, race, sexual orientation, or religious belief.  We provide specific workplace programs to support diversity and equal employment opportunities for women, people with disabilities and all cultural backgrounds.

The Crocodile Hunter Lodge and the Warrior Restaurant have been designed to reconnect guests with nature, and is home to beautiful native wildlife, with black cockatoos and kangaroos visiting most days. The Warrior restaurant overlooks a beautiful home for our resident emus, kangaroos and koalas.

The Sous Chef is responsible for overseeing the preparation of food at the Warrior Restaurant, alongside the other senior members of the team.  They will act as the driving force behind exceptional standards, and will deliver high quality food, focused on fresh, seasonal and local produce.

We are looking for a reliable, energetic and passionate chef, with the ability to coordinate a team of experienced Chefs!

Duties Include: 

• Assist the Chef leadership team in Planning and Executing vibrant and exciting menu offerings.
• Schedule and coordinate the work of other kitchen employees to ensure that food preparation is economical and technically correct.
• Ensure that high standards of sanitation, cleanliness and food safety are maintained throughout all kitchen areas at all times.
• Monitor and maintain controls to minimise food and supply waste.
• Assist in the development of standard recipes and techniques for food preparation and presentation which help to ensure consistently high quality and to minimise food costs; exercises portion control for all items served.
• Food preparation, and supervision of food preparation.
• Evaluate food products to assure that quality standards are consistently attained.
• Maintain a high level of service principles in accordance with established standards.
• Evaluate products to ensure that quality, price and related goods are consistently met.
• Enforce policies and procedures to enhance and measure quality; continually update written policies and procedures to reflect state-of-the-art techniques, equipment and terminology.
• Maintain a regular cleaning and maintenance schedule for all kitchen areas and equipment.
• Support safe work habits and a safe working environment at all times.
• Ensure a high level of focus on sustainable practices and minimising negative environmental impacts during food preparation, storage and waste.
• Display exceptional leadership by providing a positive work environment, counselling employees as appropriate and demonstrating a dedicated and professional approach to management.
• Provide guidance and direction to team members, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Utilise interpersonal and communication skills to lead, influence, and kitchen staff.
• Improve service by communicating and assisting individuals to understand guest needs, provide guidance, feedback, and individual coaching when needed.
• Regularly visit suppliers and markets to source high quality and fresh ingredients for specials and standard menu items.

Essential Criteria: 

• Chef Qualification (e.g. Cert III in Commercial Cookery).
• Experience in a similar role.
• Experience in all facets of kitchen operations, including stock control, labour analysis, roster creation, staff management and an extensive understanding of HACCP management.
• Ability to work in high pressure and fast paced situations.
• Full availability, including weekends, evenings, public holidays and school holidays.

Preferred Criteria: 

• Experience in a 4 or 5 star hotel establishment.
• Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA).

*Basic short-term accommodation arrangements can be made to assist the successful candidate with re-location, based on eligibility criteria*

Apply for this job below.

Here is a checklist of information you will need to have ready before you start to complete the employment application form:

• Education history
• Employment history
• References
• Any qualifications you may have eg First Aid
• Any achievements you may like to tell us about
• your availability (what hours can you work)
• A resume in .pdf or .doc format
• Any other info that may support your application