Head Chef - Event Catering

Placements24; Kimberley; On-site; CAD 39,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid

Retirement benefits

Annual leave

Sick leave

Professional development

Modern kitchen equipment

Excellence-driven environment

Job summary

Placements24 urgently seeks a Head Chef in Kimberley to lead our kitchen operations onsite. You will design menus, manage staff, control food costs and ensure top-tier presentation and food safety.

This hands-on role requires exceptional leadership and a passion for culinary excellence. You will collaborate with event planners to tailor offerings for diverse clients, maintain supplier relationships, and drive culinary creativity across events.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of chef experience, including 3+ years as Head/Sous Chef
• Proven menu development, food costing and inventory management
• Strong leadership and team management skills
• Knowledge of culinary techniques, international cuisines and presentation
• HACCP knowledge is a plus
• Ability to work under pressure in fast-paced environment
• Culinary degree or equivalent qualification preferred

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all kitchen operations, ensuring efficiency, quality, and budget adherence
• Develop creative, seasonal menus for diverse client needs and dietary restrictions
• Oversee food preparation, cooking, presentation to high standards
• Manage inventory, supplies ordering and control food costs
• Supervise, train and mentor kitchen staff
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, sanitation regulations
• Collaborate with event coordinators and clients to tailor offerings
• Maintain relationships with suppliers and timely ingredient delivery
• Conduct quality checks and taste panels

Skills

Menu development

Food costing

Inventory management

Leadership

Staff supervision

Quality control

Problem solving

Organizational skills

Pressure handling

Education

Culinary degree or equivalent

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a prestigious catering company based in Kimberley , Northern Cape, known for its exceptional culinary artistry and bespoke event experiences. We are seeking an innovative and experienced Head Chef to lead our kitchen operations. This role is crucial for maintaining our reputation for excellence and driving culinary creativity in all our catering endeavors. The Head Chef will be responsible for menu development, kitchen management, staff supervision, and ensuring the highest standards of food quality, safety, and presentation. This is a hands-on, on-site position requiring passionate leadership and meticulous attention to detail. You will work closely with the event planning team to design menus that delight clients and guests, ensuring seamless execution for a variety of events. If you have a proven track record in professional kitchens and a passion for creating memorable culinary experiences, we invite you to apply and lead our culinary team in Kimberley .

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all kitchen operations, ensuring efficiency, quality, and adherence to budget.
• Develop creative, seasonal, and innovative menus that cater to diverse client needs and dietary restrictions.
• Oversee food preparation, cooking, and presentation, ensuring the highest standards are consistently met.
• Manage inventory, ordering of supplies, and control food costs to maximize profitability.
• Supervise, train, and mentor kitchen staff, fostering a collaborative and high-performance team environment.
• Ensure strict compliance with all health, safety, and sanitation regulations within the kitchen.
• Collaborate with event coordinators and clients to understand event specifics and tailor culinary offerings.
• Maintain relationships with suppliers, ensuring quality and timely delivery of ingredients.
• Conduct regular quality checks and taste panels to uphold culinary excellence.

Requirements

• A minimum of 7 years of experience as a Chef, with at least 3 years in a Head Chef or Sous Chef role in a demanding catering or fine dining environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in menu creation, food costing, and inventory management.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate kitchen staff.
• In-depth knowledge of culinary techniques, international cuisines, and food presentation.
• Thorough understanding of health, safety, and sanitation standards (HACCP knowledge is a plus).
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Passion for food, creativity, and a commitment to delivering exceptional quality.
• Culinary degree or equivalent professional qualification preferred.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package with performance-based incentives.
• Opportunity to lead culinary innovation for a respected catering company in Kimberley .
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement benefits.
• Generous annual leave and sick leave allowance.
• Professional development opportunities and continuous learning.
• Access to a well-equipped kitchen and modern culinary tools.
• A dynamic and supportive work environment committed to excellence.