Executive Chef - Remote Culinary Director

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Highly competitive salary and bonuses

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Generous vacation and sick leave

Professional development and culinary

Culinary masterclasses

Remote work autonomy

Development budget for culinary

Employee discounts at group venues

Retirement savings plan

Creative work environment

Job summary

Placements24 seeks an Executive Chef to assume the Remote Culinary Director role, overseeing culinary programs across multiple dining venues from a remote location. You will lead chefs and kitchen staff virtually, ensuring exceptional quality, creativity, and consistency in every dish.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in progressive culinary leadership, strong cost-control and HACCP knowledge, and a passion for innovative gastronomy. This role offers fully remote work with global opportunities.

Qualifications

• Culinary degree or equivalent professional certification.
• 10+ years progressive culinary experience, with 5+ years as Executive Chef or senior leader.
• Experience leading culinary teams remotely and managing cost/profitability.

Responsibilities

• Develop and refine menus, recipes, and culinary standards for all dining venues.
• Lead and mentor kitchen teams across multiple locations through remote communication and management.
• Oversee all aspects of food preparation, presentation, and quality control.
• Manage food costs, inventory, and procurement to optimize profitability.
• Ensure strict adherence to food safety, sanitation, and hygiene regulations.
• Collaborate with beverage managers to create cohesive and appealing dining experiences.
• Stay abreast of culinary trends, ingredients, and techniques, introducing innovative concepts.
• Conduct remote culinary training sessions and workshops for kitchen staff.
• Evaluate and select new kitchen equipment and suppliers.
• Maintain a high level of creativity and passion for culinary arts, inspiring the team.

Skills

Remote leadership

Menu development

Cost control

HACCP knowledge

Culinary creativity

Communication

Education

Culinary degree or equivalent

Tools

Culinary software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prestigious hospitality brand, is seeking a visionary Executive Chef to take on the newly created role of Remote Culinary Director. This is a fully remote position where you will be responsible for conceptualizing, developing, and standardizing culinary programs across various dining establishments. You will lead a team of talented chefs and kitchen staff remotely, ensuring exceptional quality, creativity, and consistency in every dish. This role demands a blend of culinary artistry, strong leadership, and the ability to innovate from a distance. You will play a pivotal role in defining the culinary identity of our brand, setting new gastronomic trends, and ensuring an unparalleled dining experience for our guests. The ideal candidate is a seasoned culinary professional with a passion for food, a keen eye for detail, and a proven ability to manage diverse culinary operations in a remote capacity. You will have the autonomy to drive culinary excellence and shape the future of our food and beverage offerings.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and refine menus, recipes, and culinary standards for all dining venues.
• Lead and mentor kitchen teams across multiple locations through effective remote communication and management.
• Oversee all aspects of food preparation, presentation, and quality control.
• Manage food costs, inventory, and procurement to optimize profitability.
• Ensure strict adherence to food safety, sanitation, and hygiene regulations.
• Collaborate with beverage managers to create cohesive and appealing dining experiences.
• Stay abreast of culinary trends, ingredients, and techniques, introducing innovative concepts.
• Conduct remote culinary training sessions and workshops for kitchen staff.
• Evaluate and select new kitchen equipment and suppliers.
• Maintain a high level of creativity and passion for culinary arts, inspiring the team.

Requirements

• Culinary degree or equivalent professional certification from a recognized institution.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive culinary experience, with at least 5 years as an Executive Chef or in a similar senior culinary leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience in managing and leading culinary teams remotely.
• Proven ability to control food costs and maintain profitability without compromising quality.
• Extensive knowledge of international cuisines and modern gastronomic techniques.
• Exceptional palate, creativity, and attention to detail.
• Strong understanding of food safety and sanitation protocols (e.g., HACCP).
• Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Proficiency in culinary software and remote collaboration tools.
• Must be passionate about food and dedicated to delivering outstanding culinary experiences.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance incentives.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Generous vacation and sick leave allowances.
• Professional development opportunities and culinary masterclasses.
• The flexibility and autonomy of a fully remote work arrangement.
• Access to a professional development budget for culinary exploration.
• Employee discounts at our group's establishments worldwide.
• Retirement savings plan.
• A dynamic and creative work environment.