Head Chef - Catering

Placements24; Klerksdorp; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Professional development

Medical & retirement benefits

Job summary

Placements24 in Klerksdorp seeks a visionary Head Chef to lead its prestigious catering division. You will design menus, manage a high-volume kitchen, train staff, and uphold top-quality food safety and presentation standards.

This senior role rewards culinary excellence, strong leadership, and innovation in event-focused dining, with opportunities for professional development and a competitive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience as Head Chef or Executive Chef, focused on catering or high-volume banqueting.
• Proven expertise in culinary arts, menu engineering, and diverse cooking techniques.
• Strong leadership, team management, and communication skills.
• In-depth knowledge of food safety, HACCP, and kitchen hygiene standards.
• Ability to manage budgets, control food costs, and optimize resources.
• Creative flair and passion for innovative culinary offerings.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all kitchen operations, including menu development and plating for events.
• Ensure consistent quality, taste, and presentation of all dishes.
• Train, motivate, and supervise kitchen staff to maintain high performance.
• Oversee inventory, food costing, and procurement for optimal quality and cost efficiency.
• Enforce strict food safety, hygiene, and sanitation protocols.
• Collaborate with catering management to create innovative menus for clients.

Skills

Head Chef leadership

Catering expertise

Menu engineering

Food safety & HACCP

Budget & cost control

Creative culinary flair

Job description

About the Role

Our client is looking for a highly skilled and creative Head Chef to lead their prestigious catering division in Klerksdorp . This position demands culinary excellence, strong leadership, and a passion for delivering exceptional dining experiences for a wide range of events. You will be responsible for menu creation, kitchen management, staff training, and ensuring the highest standards of food quality, safety, and presentation. This is a senior role for a culinary artist who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is dedicated to innovation and consistent quality in all aspects of food production.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all kitchen operations, including menu development, food preparation, and plating for diverse catering events.
• Ensure consistent quality, taste, and presentation of all dishes, adhering to the highest culinary standards.
• Manage kitchen staff, providing training, motivation, and performance supervision to foster a high-achieving team.
• Oversee inventory management, food costing, and procurement of ingredients, ensuring optimal quality and cost-effectiveness.
• Implement and enforce strict food safety, hygiene, and sanitation protocols within the kitchen environment.
• Collaborate with the catering management team to create innovative menus and respond to client's specific culinary requests.

Requirements

• Extensive experience as a Head Chef or Executive Chef, preferably with a focus on catering or high-volume banqueting.
• Proven expertise in culinary arts, menu engineering, and diverse cooking techniques.
• Strong leadership, team management, and communication skills.
• In-depth knowledge of food safety, HACCP, and kitchen hygiene standards.
• Ability to manage budgets, control food costs, and optimize resource utilization.
• Creative flair and a passion for developing new and exciting culinary offerings.

Benefits

• An attractive salary package commensurate with experience.
• The opportunity to showcase culinary talent in a leading Klerksdorp catering establishment.
• Access to professional development and culinary training opportunities.
• Comprehensive medical and retirement benefits.
• A stimulating work environment with creative freedom and professional challenges.