Executive Chef

Placements24; Benoni; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid

Provident fund

Annual leave

Professional growth

International exposure

Job summary

Placements24 in Benoni, Gauteng, seeks an innovative Executive Chef to lead culinary operations in a fast-paced, high-volume environment. The Executive Chef will manage menu development, food preparation, staff leadership and inventory control to deliver outstanding dining experiences.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years of progressive culinary experience, including 3+ years in an Exec/Senior Sous role, with strong leadership, HACCP knowledge, and expertise in international cuisines.

Qualifications

• 7+ years progressive culinary experience with 3+ years in Exec/Senior Sous
• Proven ability to lead a large kitchen brigade
• Expertise across diverse cuisines and techniques
• Strong knowledge of food costing, inventory and purchasing
• Solid HACCP and food safety understanding
• Creative flair with menu development and dish innovation
• Ability to perform under pressure in a demanding environment
• Excellent organizational and communication skills
• Culinary qualification strongly preferred

Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, develop, and execute innovative menus aligned with brand and seasonal offerings
• Oversee daily kitchen operations ensuring smooth service and high quality
• Lead, train, and mentor kitchen staff; conduct performance evaluations
• Maintain strict food costs, inventory, and wastage controls
• Ensure health, safety, and sanitation regulations compliance
• Collaborate with F&B Manager to integrate kitchen and front-of-house
• Source quality ingredients and manage supplier relationships
• Develop recipes and portion control standards
• Conduct regular taste tests and quality checks
• Stay abreast of culinary trends to keep the menu fresh

Skills

Team leadership

Menu development

Cost control

Inventory management

Food safety HACCP

Culinary excellence

Staff training

Education

Culinary degree

Tools

High-volume kitchen management

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a renowned establishment in Benoni, Gauteng, is actively searching for an innovative and highly skilled Executive Chef to lead their culinary operations. This is an exceptional opportunity for a passionate chef to showcase their creativity and expertise in a fast-paced, high-volume environment. The Executive Chef will be responsible for all aspects of the kitchen, from menu development and food preparation to staff management and inventory control. We are looking for a culinary artist with a strong understanding of various cuisines, a commitment to quality, and the ability to inspire a team to achieve gastronomic excellence. The role is critical to maintaining our client's reputation for outstanding dining experiences in Benoni.

Key Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, develop, and execute innovative menus that align with the restaurant's brand and seasonal offerings.


• Oversee all daily kitchen operations, ensuring smooth service and exceptional food quality.


• Manage a team of chefs and kitchen staff, providing training, mentorship, and performance evaluations.


• Maintain strict control over food costs, inventory, and wastage through effective purchasing and management practices.


• Ensure adherence to all health, safety, and sanitation regulations, maintaining a clean and organized kitchen environment.


• Collaborate with the F&B Manager to ensure seamless integration between kitchen and front-of-house operations.


• Source high-quality ingredients from reliable suppliers and build strong supplier relationships.


• Develop and maintain recipes and portion control standards.


• Conduct regular taste tests and quality control checks.


• Stay abreast of culinary trends and innovations to keep the menu fresh and exciting.

Requirements

• A minimum of 7 years of progressive culinary experience, with at least 3 years in an Executive Chef or Senior Sous Chef role.


• Proven ability to lead and manage a large kitchen brigade.


• Exceptional culinary skills with expertise in various cooking techniques and international cuisines.


• Strong knowledge of food costing, inventory management, and purchasing.


• Excellent understanding of HACCP and food safety standards.


• Creative flair and a passion for developing new dishes.


• Ability to work effectively under pressure in a demanding environment.


• Strong organizational and communication skills.


• A culinary degree or equivalent professional qualification is highly preferred.


• Must be legally eligible to work in South Africa and ideally reside in or near Benoni, Gauteng.

Benefits

• This position offers a highly competitive salary commensurate with experience, along with potential performance-based incentives.


• Our client provides a comprehensive benefits package including medical aid, a provident fund, and ample annual leave.


• There are excellent opportunities for professional growth and development, including potential for international exposure within the group.


• You will work in a dynamic and creative environment where your culinary vision is valued.


• Join a respected culinary team in Benoni and elevate your career to new heights.