Sous Chef / Kitchen Lead

The Tippler & Co | East Melbourne

About us

The Tippler & Co is an established neighbourhood bar and bistro in East Melbourne, a short walk from the MCG.

Our food has a European bistro influence and is deliberately approachable — good produce, strong technique, generous hospitality and dishes people genuinely want to eat.

We're proud of where the kitchen is heading and are looking for an experienced chef to help us take the next step.

We value strong fundamentals, consistency, organisation, attention to detail and leadership by example.

About the role

This is a hands-on senior cooking and leadership position in a small kitchen team.

You'll be on the tools — prepping, cooking and running service alongside the team — while also helping ensure the kitchen as a whole is organised, prepared and operating at a consistently high standard.

We're not looking for someone to come in and reinvent everything. We have a clear food direction and an established menu. We want an experienced chef who can bring strong fundamentals and organisation, build on what we're already doing and help us execute it exceptionally well.

Key responsibilities

• Leading restaurant preparation and service

• Stocks, sauces and core kitchen production

• Strong meat and fish cookery

• Mise en place and prep organisation

• Maintaining consistency, seasoning and presentation

• Functions, private dinners, corporate events and weddings

• Contributing to menu development and seasonal dishes

• Ordering, stock management and food costs

• Training and developing other chefs

• Maintaining excellent kitchen organisation and cleanliness

About you

• Strong previous restaurant experience is essential.

• You'll be a confident chef with excellent fundamentals — someone who understands stocks and sauces, proper seasoning, accurate cookery and the attention to detail required to make simple food excellent.

• You'll also be organised. You can look at the day ahead, understand what needs to happen and make sure the kitchen and the team are ready for service.

• Previous experience as a Head Chef, Senior Sous Chef or experienced Sous Chef would be highly regarded.

We're looking for someone who is:

• Consistent and detail-focused

• Calm and capable during busy services

• Proud of their mise en place and kitchen standards

• Comfortable taking responsibility

• A clear communicator

• Interested in teaching and developing others

• Happy to get involved wherever the kitchen needs them

• Someone who leads by example

Why this role?

For the right chef, we think this is a great stepping stone to something bigger.

Alongside our neighbourhood restaurant and bar, The Tippler has a diverse functions business covering private dinners, corporate events, celebrations and weddings. You'll gain experience across different styles of service while working closely with a supportive and highly involved owner.

There is an opportunity to contribute to the menu and gradually develop your experience across food costs, ordering, suppliers, staffing, functions and the broader commercial side of running a hospitality business.

If your ambition is to become a Head Chef, lead a larger operation or perhaps open your own venue one day, this is an opportunity to develop the skills and experience that go beyond simply being a great cook.

For an exceptional candidate looking to build a longer-term career in Australia, employer sponsorship may also be considered, subject to eligibility.