Commis Chef

Dream Hotels & Resorts; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Dream Hotels & Resorts in Johannesburg's Houghton Estate invites applications for a Commis Chef to assist in the preparation and cooking of dishes across kitchen sections, under the guidance of the Sous Chef and Chef de Partie.

You will support station chefs, maintain cleanliness, and help with mise en place, plating, and stock control while upholding high standards of quality, safety, and teamwork in a fast-paced luxury kitchen.

Qualifications

• Food safety and sanitation principles for a clean, safe kitchen.
• Mastery of basic knife skills and proper handling of knives.
• Knowledge of fundamental cooking techniques (sautéing, braising, roasting, grilling, poaching, baking).
• Familiarity with meats, seafood, vegetables, herbs and pantry items.
• Understanding of common kitchen equipment and tools.
• Ability to follow and adapt recipes for portions and quality.
• Familiarity with culinary terminology used in professional kitchens.
• Basic nutrition knowledge for dietary considerations.
• Food presentation and garnishing principles.
• Grade 12 or equivalent; Culinary Arts certificate/diploma advantageous.
• Proven hotel/resort kitchen experience.

Responsibilities

• Assist in food preparation and mise en place across sections.
• Support station chefs, plate dishes, garnish, and ensure timely service.
• Learn cooking techniques and knife skills under senior chefs.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of workstations and storage.
• Assist in menu execution, specials, and portion control during service.
• Ensure dishes meet high quality, flavor, and presentation standards.
• Adhere to health and safety and sanitation protocols.
• Assist with inventory labeling and stock rotation in the kitchen.
• Collaborate with kitchen team for smooth operation during service.

Skills

Food Safety & Sanitation

Knife Skills

Cooking Techniques

Ingredient Knowledge

Kitchen Equipment

Recipe Execution

Culinary Terminology

Nutrition basics

Food Presentation

Team Collaboration

Education

Grade 12

Culinary Arts certificate or Diploma

Hotel/Resort kitchen experience

Job description

10 2nd Avenue Houghton Estate is a Luxury Boutique Hotel in Houghton Estate, Johannesburg, centrally located near business hubs. It offers luxury accommodation, gourmet cuisine, state of the art conferencing and warm South African hospitality in lush, landscaped gardens.

10 2nd Avenue Houghton Estate falls within Dream Hotels & Resorts, a mixed-use accommodation group working towards greater accountability and local impact. The vision is to co-create memorable travel experiences which connect people for a brighter future. Together our mission is to deliver dynamic and exceptional hospitality solutions in Africa that connect local and global travelers to our communities in a sustainable and relevant manner.

Dream Hotels & Resorts lives by its 8 core values. Our team is dedicated to being reliable and accountable, fostering empathy to understand others' feelings and collaboratively find solutions, and prioritizing sustainability in environmental, financial, and social aspects. Rooted in humanity, trust, dynamism, excellence, and joy, we celebrate diversity, prioritise integrity, embrace creativity, pursue quality, and foster a joyful work environment to connect people with our surroundings and each other. These play a part in our day-to-day decision making & operational requirements.

Job Description

A Commis Chef, is a crucial position in a professional kitchen, responsible to assist in the preparation and cooking of food items in various sections of the kitchen. They work under the guidance of the Sous Chef or Chef de Partie and play a crucial role in the food production and smooth kitchen operations.

• Food Preparation: Assisting in the preparation of ingredients, mise en place, and cooking of dishes according to the recipes and standards set by the senior chefs.
• Station Support: Supporting the Chef de Partie or station chefs in the smooth operation of their section, including plating dishes, garnishing, and ensuring timely service.
• Learning and Development: Learning and honing cooking techniques, knife skills, and kitchen procedures under the guidance of more experienced chefs.
• Kitchen Organization: Maintaining cleanliness and organization in the kitchen, including cleaning workstations, equipment, and storage areas.
• Assistance in Menu Execution: Helping to execute menu items, specials, and orders during service periods while following proper portion control and presentation guidelines.
• Quality Control: Ensuring that all dishes are prepared to the highest standards of quality, flavour, and consistency.
• Adherence to Health and Safety Standards: Following food safety and sanitation protocols to maintain a clean and safe working environment.
• Assistance in Inventory Management: Assisting in stock rotation, labelling, and inventory control within their section of the kitchen.
• Team Collaboration: Working collaboratively with other members of the kitchen team to ensure smooth operation during service and effective communication in a fast-paced environment.

Theoretical Knowledge And Experience

• Food Safety and Sanitation: Understanding the principles of food safety, proper hygiene practices, and sanitation procedures to prevent foodborne illnesses and maintain a clean and safe working environment.
• Knife Skills: Mastery of basic knife skills, including different types of cuts (e.g., julienne, dice, chiffonade), proper handling of knives, and knife maintenance.
• Cooking Techniques: Knowledge of fundamental cooking techniques such as sautéing, braising, roasting, grilling, poaching, and baking, as well as an understanding of how different cooking methods affect food texture, flavor, and appearance.
• Ingredient Knowledge: Familiarity with a wide range of ingredients, including meats, seafood, vegetables, herbs, spices, and pantry staples, as well as knowledge of seasonality, flavor profiles, and culinary uses of ingredients.
• Kitchen Equipment: Understanding the use and maintenance of common kitchen equipment and tools, such as stovetops, ovens, grills, fryers, blenders, mixers, and other essential kitchen appliances.
• Menu Planning and Recipe Execution: Ability to follow recipes accurately, understand cooking ratios and measurements, adjust recipes for portion sizes, and execute menu items to the standards set by the senior chefs.
• Culinary Terminology: Familiarity with culinary terminology and kitchen jargon used in professional kitchens to effectively communicate with other team members and understand recipe instructions.
• Basic Nutrition: Knowledge of basic nutrition principles, dietary considerations, and special dietary requirements to accommodate guests with food allergies, intolerances, or dietary preferences.
• Food Presentation: Understanding the principles of food presentation, plate composition, garnishing techniques, and the importance of visual appeal in enhancing the dining experience for guests.
• Grade 12 certificate or equivalent qualification
• Culinary Arts certificate or Diploma and advantage.
• Proven track record of working in a hotel / resort kitchen