Banquet and Events Chef

Placements24; East London; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,350,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid & retirement fund

Lead a dynamic culinary team in East

Job summary

Placements24 in East London is seeking a skilled Banquet and Events Chef to lead a busy culinary team and deliver outstanding dining experiences for large-scale events across the Eastern Cape. You will oversee menu creation, food preparation, presentation, and kitchen operations, while mentoring chefs and ensuring HACCP compliance, cost control, and timely service.

The ideal candidate has 4–6 years of banquet/catering leadership, strong staff management, and a passion for innovative cuisine.

Qualifications

• 4–6 years of experience as a Banquet Chef or senior banquet role in high-volume catering or hotel settings.
• Proven ability to plan and present food for large banquets and events.
• Strong leadership, team management and communication skills.
• Excellent knowledge of food safety, hygiene and sanitation standards (HACCP).
• Experience in menu development, costing and inventory management.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple events simultaneously.
• Creative flair and passion for culinary arts.
• Flexibility to work varied hours including evenings, weekends and holidays for events in East London.

Responsibilities

• Lead culinary execution for banquet and catered events with high food quality and presentation.
• Develop creative, appealing menus with catering sales team and clients.
• Oversee food preparation, cooking, and finishing for large-scale events.
• Manage and mentor chefs and kitchen staff for efficient workflow and morale.
• Control food costs, manage inventory and maintain stock levels.
• Ensure adherence to health, safety and sanitation regulations (HACCP).
• Collaborate with event planning team to understand requirements and execute flawlessly.
• Source high-quality ingredients and maintain supplier relationships.
• Keep kitchen clean, organized and well-equipped.
• Stay updated on culinary trends and continuously innovate menus.

Skills

Banquet Chef experience

Kitchen leadership

Menu development

Food safety & HACCP

Inventory management

Cost control

Communication

Education

Culinary qualification

Job description

About the Role

A premier catering and events company based in East London is seeking a skilled and creative Banquet and Events Chef to lead their culinary team in delivering exceptional dining experiences for a wide range of functions. This role requires a passion for food, strong leadership skills, and the ability to manage a busy kitchen environment efficiently. You will be responsible for menu creation, food preparation, ensuring consistent quality and presentation, managing kitchen staff, and maintaining high standards of hygiene and safety. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in banqueting and large-scale event catering, a strong understanding of diverse cuisines, and a commitment to culinary excellence. Our client is dedicated to providing unforgettable event experiences for clients throughout the Eastern Cape and seeks a chef who can inspire their team and contribute to their reputation for quality.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the culinary execution for all banquet and catered events, ensuring high standards of food quality and presentation.
• Develop creative and appealing menus, collaborating with the catering sales team and clients.
• Oversee food preparation, cooking, and finishing processes for large-scale events.
• Manage and mentor a team of chefs and kitchen assistants, ensuring efficient workflow and high morale.
• Control food costs, manage inventory, and maintain optimal stock levels.
• Ensure strict adherence to all health, safety, and sanitation regulations (HACCP).
• Work closely with the event planning team to understand event requirements and execute them flawlessly.
• Source high-quality ingredients and maintain strong relationships with suppliers.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and well-equipped kitchen environment.
• Stay updated on culinary trends and techniques to continuously innovate menu offerings.

Requirements

• Minimum of 4-6 years of experience as a Banquet Chef, Executive Sous Chef, or Senior Chef de Partie in a high-volume catering or hotel environment.
• Proven expertise in preparing and presenting food for large banquets and events.
• Strong leadership, team management, and communication skills.
• Excellent knowledge of food safety, hygiene, and sanitation standards.
• Experience in menu development, costing, and inventory management.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage multiple events simultaneously.
• Creative flair and a passion for culinary arts.
• Flexibility to work varied hours, including evenings, weekends, and public holidays, as required for events in East London .
• A relevant culinary qualification is highly advantageous.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving abilities.

Benefits

• This position offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications, along with potential performance bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund benefits are included.
• You will have the opportunity to lead a dynamic culinary team and create memorable dining experiences for events in East London .
• Professional development opportunities and training are available to enhance your career within the growing Eastern Cape hospitality sector.
• Our client fosters a supportive team environment that encourages creativity and celebrates culinary success.