Executive Chef

Kendrick Recruitment; Plettenberg Bay; On-site; ZAR 446,000 - 558,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Live-out position

Accommodation assistance for first 3 m

6 days on / 1 day off

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Kendrick Recruitment is seeking an experienced Executive Chef to lead the kitchen of a luxury boutique lodge in Plettenberg Bay. You will shape the culinary offering, manage supplier relationships and drive a high-end guest dining experience.

Salary range is R40,000–R50,000 per month with live-out accommodation support for the first 3 months, and a 6-days-on/1-day-off work cycle. This is a unique opportunity to build a distinctive cuisine while growing with the property.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as an Executive Chef or senior culinary leader.
• Experience in luxury lodge or high-end hospitality preferred.
• Strong culinary creativity and passion for exceptional food.
• Excellent plating and presentation skills.
• Ability to work independently and take full kitchen ownership.
• Based in Plettenberg Bay or willing to relocate.

Responsibilities

• Take full responsibility for the kitchen and overall culinary operation.
• Develop creative, seasonal menus for the lodge’s guest experience.
• Oversee refined light lunch and dinner offerings.
• Create visually stunning, delicious dishes.
• Collaborate with guests on dietary requirements and preferences.
• Source and manage suppliers; oversee purchasing and stock control.
• Maintain hygiene and kitchen cleanliness to high standards.
• Ensure consistent operations across service periods.
• Bring new ideas to develop the lodge’s culinary offering.

Skills

Leadership

Menu development

Food plating

Supplier management

Kitchen management

Communication

Job description

Executive Chef | Luxury Boutique Lodge | Plettenberg Bay

Salary: R40,000 – R50,000 per month

Accommodation: Live-out | Assistance with accommodation for the first 3 months

Location: Plettenberg Bay

Work Cycle: 6 days on / 1 day off

Kendrick Recruitment is currently seeking an experienced and highly creative Executive Chef to join an exclusive luxury boutique lodge in Plettenberg Bay.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a talented chef who thrives on creativity, independence and having the freedom to build a culinary offering from the ground up. With just 7 rooms and a maximum capacity of 16 guests, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to provide a highly personalised dining experience while developing their own culinary identity within the property.

Key Responsibilities

• Take full responsibility for the kitchen and overall culinary operation of the lodge.
• Develop creative and seasonal menus tailored to the lodge’s intimate guest experience.
• Introduce and oversee a refined light lunch and dinner offering.
• Create dishes that are beautifully presented, innovative and, most importantly, delicious.
• Work closely with guests to understand dietary requirements, preferences and special requests.
• Establish and maintain relationships with quality food suppliers.
• Source and manage suppliers independently, ensuring excellent quality and value.
• Oversee purchasing, ordering, stock control and kitchen costing.
• Maintain exceptional standards of food preparation, hygiene and kitchen cleanliness.
• Manage kitchen operations efficiently and ensure consistency across every service.
• Bring new ideas and creativity to continuously develop the lodge’s culinary offering.
• Work independently and take ownership of the kitchen and food concept.
• Contribute to the future growth and development of the property.

The Opportunity

This is a clean-slate opportunity for a chef who wants genuine creative freedom. You will have the opportunity to shape the menus, culinary style and overall dining experience, while working closely with the lodge’s suppliers and management team.

The property has significant growth in the pipeline, making this an exciting opportunity for an ambitious chef who is looking to grow with the business and take on greater responsibility as the operation develops.

Requirements

• Proven experience as an Executive Chef, Private Chef, Head Chef or in a similar senior culinary position.
• Previous experience in a luxury lodge, boutique hotel, private villa or high‑end hospitality environment would be advantageous.
• Strong culinary creativity and a passion for exceptional food.
• Excellent plating and presentation skills.
• Ability to create food that is both visually beautiful and full of flavour.
• Strong knowledge of suppliers, purchasing and stock management.
• Excellent organisational and kitchen management skills.
• Ability to work independently and take full ownership of the culinary operation.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Professional, reliable and guest‑focused approach.
• Must be based in, or willing to relocate to, Plettenberg Bay.

Package

• R40,000 – R50,000 per month
• Live-out position
• Assistance with accommodation available for the first 3 months
• 6 days on / 1 day off
• Excellent opportunity for growth within the business