Head Chef - Catering Division

Placements24; Vereeniging; On-site; ZAR 670,000 - 1,116,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance bonus

Health benefits

Paid time off

Dynamic work environment

Job summary

Placements24 in Vereeniging seeks an experienced Head Chef to lead a high-volume catering operation. You will design innovative menus, oversee kitchen brigade, control costs, and ensure top-tier food quality and presentation for diverse events.

Lead with strong leadership, mentor staff, manage inventory and supplier relationships, and maintain compliance with health and safety standards while delivering exceptional guest experiences.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as Head Chef or Executive Chef in high-volume catering or hotel settings.
• Culinary degree or equivalent professional qualification.
• Strong leadership, team management, and communication skills.
• Knowledge of current food trends, menu engineering, and cost control.
• Experience with kitchen management software and best practices.
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and manage the kitchen team to foster a positive work environment.
• Develop creative, seasonal menus for catering events.
• Oversee all aspects of food preparation, production, and presentation.
• Manage inventory, food costs, and supplier relationships.
• Ensure health, safety, and sanitation regulations are followed.
• Collaborate with events teams to ensure seamless service.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Menu engineering

Cost control

Communication

Pressure handling

Kitchen software

Education

Culinary degree

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a creative and experienced Head Chef to lead their catering division based in Vereeniging . You will be responsible for developing innovative menus, managing the kitchen brigade, and ensuring the highest standards of culinary excellence for a diverse range of events. This is a key leadership role that requires exceptional skill, passion for food, and the ability to manage operations efficiently in a high-volume catering environment. The successful candidate will have a significant impact on the company's reputation and client satisfaction through outstanding food quality and presentation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and manage the kitchen team, fostering a positive and productive work environment.
• Develop creative, seasonal, and profitable menus for various catering events, considering client needs and dietary restrictions.
• Oversee all aspects of food preparation, production, and presentation, ensuring consistency and quality.
• Manage kitchen inventory, food costs, and supplier relationships to optimize profitability and minimize waste.
• Ensure strict adherence to health, safety, and sanitation regulations in all kitchen operations.
• Collaborate with the events team to ensure seamless execution of catering services.

Requirements

• Proven experience as a Head Chef or Executive Chef, preferably within a high-volume catering or hotel environment.
• Culinary degree or equivalent professional qualification.
• Exceptional leadership, team management, and communication skills.
• Strong knowledge of food trends, menu engineering, and cost control.
• Proficiency in kitchen management software and operational best practices.
• Ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing demands in a fast-paced setting.

Benefits

• A highly competitive salary and performance-based bonus structure.
• Opportunity to lead culinary innovation for a prominent catering company.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits package.
• Generous paid time off and holiday allowances.
• A dynamic and supportive work environment that values creativity and culinary excellence.