Sous Chef/Chef de Partie

Location: Darwin, NT

Employment type: Full-time (4-day work week)

Ella is Darwin's award-winning contemporary restaurant, celebrated for its creativity, excellence, and culture. In 2025, Ella was awarded Best Asian Restaurant NT at the Gold Plate Awards, cementing our reputation as one of the Territory's leading dining destinations.

Our food is Contemporary Sri Lankan cuisine, with a strong focus on local Northern Territory ingredients, vibrant Sri Lankan flavours, and a variety of cooking techniques that make our menu playful, creative, and limitless in what can be imagined.

We are currently seeking a Sous Chef and a Chef de Partie to join our dynamic team.

This is an exciting opportunity to work with a kitchen that values curiosity, creativity, and collaboration, while giving you the chance to learn a completely new cuisine and experience flavours you may not have tried before.

At Ella, you'll be supported by your colleagues, managers, and owners in an environment that prizes communication, teamwork, and hard work — because we know that you get out what you put in.

Sous Chef – Key Responsibilities

• Lead the kitchen in the Head Chef's absence and ensure smooth service
• Train, mentor, and motivate junior team members
• Oversee mise en place and daily prep to the highest standards
• Ensure consistency and excellence in every dish leaving the pass
• Work closely with FOH to maintain timing and guest experience
• Assist with menu development, seasonal changes, and creative input
• Manage stock control, ordering, and supplier relationships
• Maintain strict food safety, hygiene, and WHS standards

Chef de Partie – Key Responsibilities

• Take charge of your section and deliver during busy services
• Complete mise en place and prep with precision and efficiency
• Ensure consistency, presentation, and flavour balance in every dish
• Collaborate with the kitchen team to ensure smooth operations
• Contribute to menu specials and seasonal changes
• Maintain a clean, organised section to Ella's high standards
• Support junior chefs and apprentices with guidance and training
• Adhere to all food safety, hygiene, and WHS standards

What We Offer

• A supportive, growth-focused environment (we work like a sports team, not a "family vibe")
• Full-time roles with a 4-day working week
• The opportunity to learn and grow with Contemporary Sri Lankan cuisine using local NT produce
• Be part of a restaurant that has won multiple NT Gold Plate Awards, including Restaurant of the Year and Best Asian Restaurant NT 2025
• A culture that prioritises curiosity, flavour, fun, and collaboration
• Direct support and mentorship from experienced managers and owners

About You

• Passionate about food, flavour, and hospitality
• Curious and open to learning new cuisines and techniques
• A strong team player with excellent communication skills
• Resilient under pressure and reliable in fast-paced service
• Committed to hard work, consistency, and delivering excellence

How to Apply

Please apply with your resume and either a cover letter OR a short video answering the following:

• Why do you want to work at Ella?
• What excites you about food and hospitality?
• Tell us about a time where something went wrong, or didn't work out so well, and how did you handle it?
• What do you like about working in a kitchen?
• What is your ultimate "deserted island dish"?

Send applications to:

Join a team where flavour, creativity, and excellence are at the heart of everything we do. A great opportunity for the right people.

Job Type: Casual

Pay: $65,000.00 – $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Employee mentoring program
• Free drinks
• Free food
• Professional development assistance
• Salary packaging

Experience:

• Kitchen: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: In person