Executive Banquet Chef – Lead Large-Scale Event Menus

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

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.