Head Chef - Catering Division

Placements24; George; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 660,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 in George, Western Cape, is seeking a creative Head Chef to lead the catering division for diverse events. You will design menus, manage kitchen operations, and lead a skilled team while ensuring the highest standards of food quality and presentation.

The ideal candidate holds a culinary degree with extensive head chef or senior sous-chef experience in event catering, strong leadership, cost-control capabilities, and excellent communication to collaborate with sales and management

Qualifications

• Extensive Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef experience in event catering.
• Culinary degree or equivalent qualification.
• Strong leadership and staff management skills.
• Expertise across international cuisines and modern cooking techniques.
• Proven ability to manage food costing, budgeting, and waste reduction.
• Excellent communication and client-facing collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Design innovative and appealing menus for diverse catering events, considering client preferences and seasonal availability.
• Oversee all aspects of kitchen operations, including food preparation, cooking, and presentation to exacting standards.
• Manage, train, and mentor kitchen staff, fostering a collaborative and high-performance team environment.
• Ensure strict adherence to food safety, hygiene, and sanitation regulations.
• Control food costs, manage inventory, and optimize supplier relationships.
• Collaborate with the Catering Manager and sales team to ensure seamless event execution and client satisfaction.

Skills

Menu design

Team leadership

Food safety

Cost control

Event catering

Culinary creativity

Education

Culinary degree

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a creative and highly skilled Head Chef to lead their esteemed catering division in George . This role is central to delivering exceptional culinary experiences for a variety of events. You will be responsible for menu creation, kitchen management, team leadership, and maintaining the highest standards of food quality and presentation. The successful candidate will bring innovation to the culinary offerings, manage kitchen operations efficiently, and uphold our client's reputation for excellence in event catering . This position demands a blend of culinary artistry, operational acumen, and strong leadership capabilities in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Design innovative and appealing menus for diverse catering events, considering client preferences and seasonal availability.
• Oversee all aspects of kitchen operations, including food preparation, cooking, and presentation to exacting standards.
• Manage, train, and mentor kitchen staff, fostering a collaborative and high-performance team environment.
• Ensure strict adherence to food safety, hygiene, and sanitation regulations.
• Control food costs, manage inventory, and optimize supplier relationships.
• Collaborate with the Catering Manager and sales team to ensure seamless event execution and client satisfaction.

Requirements

• Extensive experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef, with a strong background in event catering .
• Culinary degree or equivalent professional qualification is essential.
• Expertise in various cooking techniques and a wide range of international cuisines.
• Proven ability in kitchen management, including staff supervision, scheduling, and inventory control.
• Deep understanding of food costing, budgeting, and waste reduction strategies.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Benefits

• An attractive salary package reflecting your expertise and experience.
• The opportunity to shape the culinary direction of a respected catering business.
• Access to a well-equipped kitchen and a supportive management team.
• Continuous professional development and training opportunities.
• A dynamic work environment with diverse and exciting catering projects.