Who are we?
Pirate Life was founded in 2014. After a five-day journey across the Nullarbor Plain, we landed in Adelaide, established a brewery, and spent the next seven years building a brand. In that time, we've gone from three founders to a crew of over one hundred, built three venues across Australia with a fourth on the way, and cemented ourselves as one of the country's most recognisable craft brands.
Why Work with Us?
At Pirate Life, we're passionate about crafting human connections. We go beyond creating spaces and beverages – we build experiences and welcome people from all walks of life. To achieve this, we want Pirate Life to be the best place to work in the industry – both in beer, and hospitality.
Pirate Life South Melbourne is a neighbourhood steakhouse and boozer, with exceptional beer, bold food, good wine and an inclusive hospitality experience second to none. Think open, loud, smoky, exciting – an extension of our love for high-energy dining experiences.
We're all about investing in our people. From paid training and balanced rosters to personal development and progression, growth, learning, collaboration, and teamwork is what you can expect when you join the crew.
Benefits:
* Competitive wage reflective of experience and skill
* A company that truly values its people with a vibrant and engaging culture
* A hospitality kitchen role where work/life balance is encouraged and achievable
* Opportunities to represent Pirate Life at festivals and industry events
The Role:
We're on the lookout for a talented and driven Sous Chef to join our South Melbourne team. This is a hands-on role where you'll work closely with the Head Chef to lead the kitchen, manage day-to-day operations, and inspire the team. You'll thrive in a fast-paced, high-energy environment where open fire cooking, creativity, and consistency are key.
Responsibilities include:
* Supporting the Head Chef in managing all kitchen operations
* Supervising, mentoring, and training kitchen staff
* Food prep, cooking, plating, recipe development, and working the fire oven
* Monitoring stock levels and ordering
* Excellent cost control understanding and delivery; both in cost of goods and weekly casual wage costs
* Ensuring consistent delivery of high-quality dishes
* Driving a positive, collaborative, and safe workplace culture
What You've Got:
* 3–5 years' experience in a professional kitchen
* Strong leadership and teamwork skills with the ability to inspire others
* A genuine passion for food, creativity, and open fire cooking
* Ability to stay calm and think on your feet under pressure
* Commitment to quality, consistency, and workplace safety
* A can-do attitude, drive, and positivity
This is a full-time position, working across a 7-day roster including weekdays, weekends, nights, and public holidays.
Interested?
If you're ready to take the next step in your career and want to be part of an iconic brand doing things differently, hit apply and tell us why you'd be a great fit for Pirate Life.