Head Caterer: Culinary Leader & Menu Innovator

Placements24; East London; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff meals

Uniform provided

Professional development and advanced烹

Job summary

Placements24 in East London, South Africa, seeks an experienced Head Caterer to lead culinary and service teams across large-scale events. This role demands exceptional culinary artistry, strong operations management, and a passion for delivering outstanding catering experiences throughout the Eastern Cape.

You will drive menu innovation, kitchen management, quality control, and event execution while fostering a culture of excellence among staff.

Qualifications

• 7+ years progressive culinary experience; 3-5 years in leadership roles.
• Expertise in menu planning, food preparation, and presentation for large-scale catering.
• Strong kitchen management: inventory, costing, budgeting.
• Knowledge of food safety and sanitation; HACCP knowledge is a plus.
• Proven leadership and team management abilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to thrive in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment.
• Culinary degree or equivalent professional qualification.
• Flexible hours including evenings, weekends and public holidays.
• Passion for culinary excellence and client satisfaction.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all culinary operations: menu development, prep and quality control.
• Lead the kitchen team with training and performance feedback.
• Maintain highest standards of food safety, hygiene and sanitation.
• Develop innovative menus aligned with client needs and trends.
• Manage inventory, procurement and food costing to optimize profitability.
• Coordinate with event planning for seamless catering execution.
• Supervise service staff during events to ensure client satisfaction.
• Monitor departmental budget and control expenses; manage supplier relationships.
• Drive continuous improvement in culinary techniques and processes.

Skills

Leadership

Menu planning

Food safety

Budgeting

Communication

Education

Culinary degree

Job description

Placements24 in East London, South Africa, seeks an experienced Head Caterer to lead culinary and service teams across large-scale events. This role demands exceptional culinary artistry, strong operations management, and a passion for delivering outstanding catering experiences throughout the Eastern Cape.

You will drive menu innovation, kitchen management, quality control, and event execution while fostering a culture of excellence among staff.