Head Chef

Kendrick Recruitment; Franschhoek; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A luxury boutique hotel in Franschhoek is seeking a creative Head Chef to lead its culinary team. You will oversee all kitchen operations, craft innovative seasonal menus inspired by South African cuisine, and ensure exceptional guest satisfaction. The ideal candidate has over 10 years of culinary experience, including at least 5 years as a Head Chef. This role offers a competitive salary in a high-end environment where you can express your creativity and mentor a talented kitchen staff.

Benefits

Competitive luxury hospitality salary

Work in a high-end, professional environment

Opportunity to create seasonal menus

Qualifications

• 10+ years’ experience as a Chef, with at least 5 years as Head or Executive Chef.
• Deep understanding of South African and Western Cape culinary heritage.
• Passionate about mentoring staff and fostering a positive kitchen culture.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all kitchen operations ensuring high-quality food and guest satisfaction.
• Lead, mentor, and motivate kitchen staff to achieve excellence.
• Develop seasonal menus and ensure accurate costing of all dishes.
• Maintain exceptional hygiene and food safety standards.
• Monitor stock, control wastage, and manage budgets.

Skills

Exceptional leadership

Decision-making

Organisational skills

Creativity

Communication

Education

Formal cookery school qualification

Job description

Overview

Head Chef – Luxury Boutique Hotel, Franschhoek

Kendrick Recruitment is seeking a creative and charismatic Head Chef for a prestigious luxury boutique hotel in Franschhoek. This is a rare opportunity for a seasoned culinary leader to craft innovative country cuisine with a contemporary twist, drawing inspiration from South African flavours while leaving their own creative mark.

What’s on offer

• Competitive luxury hospitality salary
• Work in a high-end, professional environment
• Lead a talented kitchen team and shape the dining experience
• Opportunity to create and implement seasonal menus inspired by South African heritage

The Role

The Head Chef will oversee all kitchen operations, ensuring consistent high-quality food, exceptional presentation, and guest satisfaction.

Key responsibilities

• Leading, mentoring, and motivating kitchen staff to achieve excellence
• Developing seasonal menus and ensuring accurate costing of all dishes
• Maintaining exceptional hygiene, food safety, and kitchen standards
• Supervising daily kitchen operations and ensuring smooth workflow
• Training and coaching staff on cooking techniques and plate presentation
• Monitoring stock, controlling wastage, and managing budgets
• Creating decorative food displays and ensuring every dish reflects quality and creativity
• Liaising with guests to obtain feedback and continually improve the dining experience
• Hiring, scheduling, and reviewing kitchen staff performance
• Enforcing safety procedures and hotel operational policies
• Driving innovation while maintaining consistency in all culinary output

Who they’re looking for

• Formal cookery school qualification
• 10+ years’ experience as a Chef, with at least 5 years as Head or Executive Chef
• Exceptional leadership, decision-making, and organisational skills
• Creative flair with a deep understanding of South African and Western Cape culinary heritage
• Charismatic, reliable, and able to communicate effectively with team and guests
• Passionate about mentoring staff and fostering a positive, professional kitchen culture

If you are a visionary culinary professional ready to lead a high-end kitchen and craft unforgettable guest experiences, this is the opportunity for you!