Executive Chef - Catering Division

Placements24; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Life insurance

Professional development allowance

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an Executive Chef to lead the Pretoria catering division. The role calls for culinary excellence, innovative menu development, and strong leadership to manage kitchen operations and staff, ensuring safety and top quality.

Responsibilities include creating menus, controlling costs, and mentoring staff while upholding HACCP standards and client satisfaction across events in the region.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years in culinary roles with 3+ years in Executive/Head Chef within catering or fine dining.
• Proven expertise in menu engineering, costing and production management.
• Strong leadership and team management abilities.
• Excellent knowledge of food safety standards; HACCP is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop innovative and diverse menus tailored to client needs and events.
• Oversee kitchen operations including prep, cooking, plating, and QC.
• Manage inventory, food costs and supplier relationships.
• Lead, train and mentor kitchen staff to high performance.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety and sanitation regulations.
• Collaborate with catering management to ensure seamless events.

Skills

Menu engineering

Costing

Food production management

Leadership

HACCP knowledge

Education

Culinary degree or equivalent

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly creative and experienced Executive Chef to lead their catering division in Pretoria . This role demands a passion for culinary excellence, innovative menu development, and strong leadership skills to manage kitchen operations and staff effectively. You will be responsible for conceptualizing exquisite dishes, ensuring the highest standards of food quality, presentation, and safety, and contributing to the overall success of the catering business. This is an outstanding opportunity for a culinary artist to shape the gastronomic direction of events across the region.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop innovative and diverse menus tailored to various client needs and event types, focusing on seasonal ingredients.
• Oversee all kitchen operations, including food preparation, cooking, plating, and quality control.
• Manage inventory, food costs, and supplier relationships to ensure profitability and efficiency.
• Lead, train, and mentor kitchen staff, fostering a collaborative and high-performance team environment.
• Ensure strict compliance with all food safety, hygiene, and sanitation regulations.
• Collaborate with the catering management team to ensure seamless event execution and client satisfaction.

Requirements

• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in culinary roles, with at least 3 years in an Executive Chef or Head Chef position within catering or fine dining.
• Demonstrated expertise in menu engineering, costing, and food production management.
• Exceptional culinary skills and a strong understanding of various international cuisines.
• Proven leadership and team management abilities.
• Excellent knowledge of food safety standards (HACCP certification is a plus).
• Culinary degree or equivalent professional qualification from a recognized institution.

Benefits

• Highly competitive executive salary and bonus structure.
• Opportunity to showcase culinary creativity and leadership in a prestigious role in Pretoria .
• Comprehensive health, retirement, and life insurance benefits.
• Allowance for professional development and culinary training.
• A stimulating work environment with diverse and exciting catering projects.