Head Chef In Stellenbosch

HotelJobs; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 550,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

HotelJobs in Stellenbosch is seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead our Asian Fusion restaurant on a boutique wine estate. You will design innovative menus, supervise the kitchen team, and ensure exceptional dining experiences that complement premium wines.

The role requires a formal culinary qualification, at least five years in a senior kitchen role, strong leadership, food costing, HACCP compliance, and a passion for presentation and guest service. Evening, weekend, and holiday hours apply.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in a head chef or senior sous chef role in a high-end Asian or fusion setting.
• Formal culinary qualification from a recognised institution.
• Proven leadership and team management experience.
• Strong understanding of food costing, stock management, budgeting, and menu engineering.
• Excellence in food safety, hygiene, and HACCP standards.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, quality-driven kitchen.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends and public holidays.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute innovative Asian fusion menus.
• Develop seasonal menus, tasting experiences, and wine-pairing dishes.
• Lead, train and inspire the kitchen brigade.
• Ensure exceptional food quality, presentation and portion control.
• Manage kitchen operations, production planning, stock, and supplier relations.
• Monitor costs and budgets to meet targets.
• Maintain HACCP and food safety standards.
• Plan private dining and wine events.
• Drive continuous menu innovation and stay current with trends.
• Maintain an efficient and positive kitchen environment.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Food costing

HACCP

Creativity

Education

Culinary qualification

Job description

Head Chef /boutique Wine estate in stellenbosch We are seeking an experienced, innovative, and passionate Head Chef to lead our Asian Fusion restaurant located on a boutique wine estate in Stellenbosch. This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic culinary professional who has a deep appreciation for contemporary Asian fusion cuisine, exceptional presentation, and creating memorable dining experiences that complement premium wines.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute innovative Asian fusion menus that combine authentic Asian flavours with contemporary culinary techniques.
• Develop seasonal menus, tasting experiences, and wine-pairing dishes in collaboration with the estate's management team.
• Lead; train, and inspire the kitchen brigade, fostering a culture of excellence, creativity, and teamwork.
• Ensure exceptional food quality, consistency, presentation, and portion control across all services.
• Manage all kitchen operations, including production planning, stock control, purchasing, inventory management, and supplier relationships.
• Monitor food costs, labour costs, and kitchen budgets to achieve financial targets.
• Maintain the highest standards of food safety, hygiene, and HACCP compliance.
• Oversee menu engineering, recipe standardisation, and quality assurance.
• Plan and execute private dining experiences, wine events, functions, and special occasions.
• Drive continuous menu innovation by keeping up to date with international Asian culinary trends and techniques.
• Ensure an efficient, organised, and positive working environment within the kitchen.

Requirements

• Minimum 5 years' experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef in a high-end Asian or Asian fusion restaurant.
• Formal culinary qualification from a recognised institution.
• Proven leadership and team management experience.
• Strong understanding of food costing, stock management, budgeting, and menu engineering.Excellent knowledge of food safety, hygiene, and HACCP standards.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, quality-driven kitchen.
• Exceptional creativity, attention to detail, and passion for delivering outstanding guest experiences.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and public holidays.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to lead the culinary direction of a premium Asian fusion restaurant.
• Work within a unique boutique wine estate in the heart of Stellenbosch.
• Creative freedom to develop innovative menus and wine-pairing experiences.
• Competitive salary based on experience.
• Supportive and collaborative working environment with opportunities for professional growth.

If you are a creative culinary leader with a passion for modern Asian cuisine and luxury hospitality, we invite you to join our team and help create an exceptional destination dining experience.