Head Chef - Corporate Catering

Placements24; Polokwane; On-site; ZAR 680,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Career development

Modern kitchen facilities

Performance bonuses

Polokwane based role

Job summary

Placements24 seeks an accomplished Head Chef to lead culinary operations for a prestigious corporate catering firm based in Polokwane, Limpopo. You will drive menu development, kitchen management, and staff supervision to deliver exceptional dining experiences for corporate clients.

The role requires 8+ years of culinary experience, including 4+ years in senior chef positions, and formal culinary qualifications.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of culinary experience with at least 4 years in Head Chef/Executive Sous Chef roles.
• Formal culinary qualifications from a recognized institution.
• Demonstrated expertise in menu engineering, costing, and financial management.
• Exceptional leadership and team management skills.
• In-depth knowledge of cuisines, cooking techniques, and presentation styles.
• Strong understanding of HACCP and food safety regulations.
• Excellent organizational and time-management abilities.
• Proficiency in inventory management systems and MS Office Suite.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for client and team collaboration.
• Willingness to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all culinary aspects of corporate catering, from menu planning and creation to food preparation and presentation.
• Develop creative, seasonal, client-tailored menus reflecting trends and standards.
• Manage kitchen staff, including recruitment, training, scheduling, and performance evaluation.
• Ensure highest standards of food quality, taste, and presentation across events.
• Maintain control over food costs, inventory management, and supplier relationships.
• Implement and enforce strict food safety, sanitation, and hygiene protocols.
• Collaborate with sales and event planning teams to ensure client satisfaction and operational efficiency.
• Manage kitchen budgets and optimize resource allocation.
• Foster a positive, collaborative working environment within the kitchen team.
• Stay abreast of industry best practices and innovations in corporate catering.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Menu engineering

Costing & budgeting

Food safety HACCP

Team management

Cuisines knowledge

Inventory management

Communication

Time management

MS Office

Education

Formal culinary qualification

Tools

MS Office Suite

Inventory management systems

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prestigious corporate catering firm based in Polokwane, is seeking an accomplished and innovative Head Chef to lead its culinary operations. This senior role demands a high level of culinary expertise, exceptional leadership skills, and a passion for creating exceptional dining experiences for corporate clients throughout Limpopo. You will be responsible for menu development, kitchen management, staff supervision, and ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality cuisine that meets the sophisticated demands of the corporate sector. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in fine dining or high-end catering and a proven ability to manage a busy kitchen environment while inspiring a team to achieve culinary excellence. This is an outstanding opportunity to make a significant impact at a leading catering company in Polokwane.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee all culinary aspects of corporate catering, from menu planning and creation to food preparation and presentation.
• Develop creative, seasonal, and client-tailored menus that reflect current culinary trends and our client's standards.
• Manage kitchen staff, including recruitment, training, scheduling, and performance evaluation.
• Ensure the highest standards of food quality, taste, and presentation across all catering events.
• Maintain strict control over food costs, inventory management, and supplier relationships.
• Implement and enforce rigorous food safety, sanitation, and hygiene protocols.
• Collaborate with the sales and event planning teams to ensure client satisfaction and operational efficiency.
• Manage kitchen budgets and optimize resource allocation effectively.
• Foster a positive, collaborative, and productive working environment within the kitchen team.
• Stay abreast of industry best practices and innovations in corporate catering.

Requirements

• Minimum of 8 years of culinary experience, with at least 4 years in a Head Chef or Executive Sous Chef role, preferably in corporate catering or fine dining.
• Formal culinary qualifications from a recognized institution.
• Demonstrated expertise in menu engineering, costing, and financial management.
• Exceptional leadership, team management, and motivational skills.
• In-depth knowledge of various cuisines, cooking techniques, and presentation styles.
• Strong understanding of food safety regulations (HACCP) and implementation.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to handle high-pressure situations.
• Proficiency in inventory management systems and MS Office Suite.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration with clients and internal teams.
• Must be willing to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate event schedules in Limpopo.

Benefits

• A highly competitive salary package that reflects your expertise and leadership capabilities.
• Significant opportunities for career growth and professional development.
• Chance to lead culinary innovation for a diverse range of corporate clients.
• Access to modern kitchen facilities and high-quality ingredients.
• A dynamic and rewarding work environment in Polokwane.
• Contribution to delivering exceptional dining experiences that enhance our client's reputation.
• Potential for performance-based bonuses.