Head Chef

Red Ember Recruitment (PTY) Ltd; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 400 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking a passionate Head Chef to oversee kitchen operations in Cape Town. The ideal candidate must have at least 5 years of experience in pizza making and kitchen management. Responsibilities include managing a team, maintaining high food hygiene standards, and achieving successful kitchen performance metrics. Strong communication and organizational skills are essential. This role offers an exciting opportunity to shape the culinary experience at a vibrant venue.

Qualifications

• 5 years experience as a Pizza Chef required.
• 5 years kitchen experience required.
• Experience leading and developing a team.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of chefs in a busy kitchen environment.
• Oversee quality, speed, and service of pizza production.
• Ensure compliance with hygiene and safety standards.

Skills

Master-class pizza-making skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Team leadership

Food safety knowledge

Job description

Red Ember Recruitment is seeking to hire, on behalf of our client, a passionate Head Chef to join their team.

• Leading and mentoring a hard-working team of chefs in a busy environment.
• You will report to our Hospitality Manager and be responsible for running all areas of the kitchen on site.
• Ensuring the smooth running of the kitchen whilst maintaining a positive working environment for the team!
• You’ll be responsible for overseeing and providing excellent pizza quality, kitchen speed, and service.
• Training and maintaining a competent chef team—providing regular appraisals and keeping the team engaged.
• Ensuring that you hit successful GP and portioning figures.
• Ensuring vigilant recording of all wastage and costings.
• Maintaining 5
• Food Hygiene standards.
• You’ll be responsible for your team's rota in alignment with budgeted staff costs.
• Stock ordering.
• Ensuring stock is rotated with a FIFO rule and that all produce is in date and stored compliantly.
• Monthly stock takes carried out with variance reports given to the Centre Manager.

Requirements

• Someone with master‑class Pizza‑making skills with a real passion for pizza!
• Pizza Chef : 5 years (required)
• Kitchen experience : 5 years (required)
• Someone who is highly skilled in making Neapolitan-style pizza, making and stretching dough and baking in a wood fired pizza oven.
• A Head Chef who has previous experience leading and developing a team who enjoys collaboration and has excellent communication skills.
• Someone who has first‑class organisation skills and attention to detail.
• Someone with good knowledge of risk assessments, food safety and hygiene within a commercial kitchen.
• As our kitchen is on display to the public an ability to communicate clearly face to face with clients & colleagues and build strong relationships is key.