Sous Chef

Sous Chef | Santa Joana | Lisbon

Santa Joana is one of Lisbon's most exciting dining destinations, a Michelin recommended restaurant where Portuguese culinary heritage meets bold, modern technique. Named after the revered Infanta Santa Joana, our kitchen is a place of craft, precision, and genuine passion for exceptional food.

We are looking for a talented and driven Sous Chef to join our brigade. This is a rare opportunity to be part of something truly special, working with outstanding produce, a talented team, and a menu that celebrates the very best of Portuguese cuisine.

The Role

As Sous Chef, you will be the engine of the kitchen, supporting the Head Chef in leading service, developing the team, and maintaining the exceptional standards that have earned Santa Joana its Michelin recognition. You will be hands-on, passionate about your craft, and ready to bring energy and ideas to everything you do.

What You Will Do

At Santa Joana, we don't just cook great food — we lead with hospitality, act with integrity, pursue excellence in every detail, and empower everyone in our kitchen to think and act like an entrepreneur. Here's what that looks like in practice:

• Support the Head Chef in the day-to-day running of a Michelin recommended kitchen, bringing warmth, care, and genuine hospitality to every interaction with your team and guests
• Lead and inspire the brigade during service — setting the tone, raising the standard, and making sure excellence isn't just expected, it's lived
• Contribute to menu development, bringing creativity, technical skill, and a deep respect for Portuguese culinary heritage to every new dish
• Oversee mise en place, taking ownership of preparation and ensuring the kitchen is ready to deliver at the highest level, every single service
• Manage stock, ordering, and waste control with integrity — making smart, responsible decisions that reflect our commitment to doing the right thing
• Train, develop, and mentor junior chefs, investing in the people around you and building a culture where everyone grows and contributes
• Ensure full compliance with food hygiene and health and safety standards — because doing things properly is non-negotiable
• Step up to lead the kitchen confidently in the Head Chef's absence, thinking like an entrepreneur and taking real ownership of the space

Our ethos is simple: Work hard and be kind

Who You Are

• An experienced chef with a strong background in fine dining or high-quality restaurant environments
• Technically accomplished, with a genuine love of Portuguese and/or European cuisine
• A natural leader who motivates and develops those around them
• Calm under pressure with excellent organisational skills
• Committed to quality, consistency, and continuous improvement
• A strong communicator who thrives in a close-knit, high-performing team
• Fluent or conversational in English & Portuguese

What We Offer

• A package of €2,000 per month
• A Michelin recommended kitchen, a genuine mark of distinction on your CV
• The chance to work with exceptional Portuguese produce and a seasonally inspired menu
• A supportive, passionate team that invests in your development
• Clear progression opportunities within Santa Joana and the wider White Rabbit Projects portfolio
• A unique working environment in the heart of Lisbon, one of Europe's most vibrant food cities

Ready to Join Us?

If you are a skilled, motivated chef who is ready to take the next step in a kitchen that truly values craft and creativity, we would love to hear from you.

Apply now and let us know what hospitality means to you!