Head Chef – Gauteng

Tashas Group; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 500,000 - 800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Opportunities for long-term career development

Collaborative culture

Job summary

Tashas Group seeks an experienced Head Chef to lead back-of-house operations across Gauteng, enhancing culinary excellence and developing teams in Johannesburg and Pretoria. You will work closely with the Executive Head Chef and Group Culinary Team to ensure top-quality food and operational efficiency.

As a committed leader, you will champion culinary values, oversee quality assurance, and foster talent within the kitchen teams, helping shape the future of our restaurants.

Qualifications

• Extensive professional culinary experience and team leadership.
• Strong understanding of kitchen operations and quality assurance.
• Commitment to developing culinary talent and excellence.

Responsibilities

• Lead kitchen operations across Gauteng locations.
• Ensure consistency in food production and presentation standards.
• Support kitchen managers and back-of-house teams.

Skills

Leadership of multiple teams or locations

Food production knowledge

Quality assurance

Cost control

Food safety and hygiene

Job description

About the Role

At Tashas Group, beautiful food sits at the heart of everything we do.

We are looking for an experienced and inspiring Head Chef to lead our back-of-house operations across Gauteng, supporting our restaurants in Johannesburg and Pretoria. This is a leadership role for someone who is passionate about culinary excellence, thrives on developing people, and takes pride in creating kitchens that consistently deliver exceptional food and outstanding standards.

Working closely with the Executive Head Chef South Africa and the wider Group Culinary Team, you will help shape the future of our kitchens through strong operational leadership, training, mentorship, and a relentless commitment to quality.

If you believe that great food starts with great people, and that leadership is about raising others up while setting the standard yourself, we'd love to hear from you.

Your Mission

You will champion our culinary values and inspire kitchen teams to uphold the exceptional standards of taste, presentation, consistency and performance that define our brands.

As a guardian of quality and a mentor to those around you, you will ensure that every kitchen within your region operates efficiently, safely and consistently, while creating opportunities for growth and development across the back-of-house team.

What You'll Be Doing

Kitchen Leadership & Operations

• Lead and support kitchen operations across all Gauteng locations.

• Ensure consistency in food production, recipes, portion control and presentation standards.

• Drive operational excellence and efficiency across multiple kitchens.

• Maintain and continuously improve back-of-house systems and procedures.

• Collaborate closely with the Executive Head Chef and Group Culinary Team to uphold best practices and standards.

Quality & Cost Control

• Uphold premium food quality standards across all locations.

• Conduct regular tastings, quality reviews and coaching sessions.

• Support effective food cost management, ingredient optimisation and waste reduction.

• Ensure accurate production, storage and procurement records are maintained.

Menu Development

• Collaborate on menu development, seasonal updates and culinary innovation.

• Present new ideas and dishes for review and approval.

• Work alongside beverage teams to maximise ingredient utilisation and creativity.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Maintain the highest standards of food safety and hygiene.

• Support safe, efficient and compliant kitchen environments.

• Ensure all compliance documentation and reporting requirements are completed accurately.

People Development & Training

• Support and develop kitchen managers, head chefs and back-of-house teams.

• Partner with the Group Culinary Trainer to implement training and development programmes.

• Foster a culture of learning, accountability and continuous improvement.

• Provide coaching, mentorship and constructive performance feedback.

• Lead by example and embody our values of excellence, generosity and teamwork.

Innovation & Inspiration

• Stay connected to emerging culinary trends and techniques.

• Bring fresh thinking and creativity to food development and kitchen operations.

• Contribute ideas that enhance both the guest experience and team performance.

What We're Looking For

• Extensive professional culinary experience, including leadership of multiple teams or locations.

• Strong understanding of kitchen operations, food production, quality assurance and cost control.

• Experience developing and mentoring culinary talent.

• Excellent knowledge of food safety, hygiene and compliance standards.

• Strong organisational, communication and leadership skills.

• A hands‑on approach and a genuine passion for people development.

• A commitment to excellence and continuous improvement.

What You'll Love

• Being part of a founder‑led company built on passion, quality and genuine hospitality.

• Working alongside talented chefs and teams who care deeply about their craft.

• Helping shape the next generation of culinary talent.

• Contributing to restaurants known for beautiful food, stunning environments and engaging service.

• A supportive, collaborative culture that values growth, creativity and excellence.

• Competitive compensation and opportunities for long‑term career development.