Head Chef: Italian Cuisine & Open Kitchen Leader

Vine Recruitment; Franschhoek; On-site; ZAR 360,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

Vine Recruitment is seeking a Head Chef for a wine farm in Franschhoek. The ideal candidate will lead a busy kitchen, crafting menus with an emphasis on Italian cuisine, and ensure high hygiene standards.

The role requires strong leadership to manage a small team and forge excellent supplier relationships, all while delivering exceptional guest satisfaction. The position focuses on menu development, costings, staff training, and stock management to maintain quality and profitability in a premium

Qualifications

• Experience in busy upmarket establishments (≈80 seats).
• Experience as Sous Chef or Head Chef.
• Open kitchen experience is advantageous.
• Excellent culinary skills with Italian flair.
• Strong customer-satisfaction focus.
• Impeccable health and hygiene standards.
• Strong supplier relationships.
• Natural leader capable of motivating a small team.
• Impeccable sense of responsibility.

Responsibilities

• Create menus for all entities’ food offering in line with the cuisine style.
• Ensure dishes are costed and priced by deadlines.
• Train kitchen staff on menu execution.
• Create customized menus for estate functions and events.
• Ensure staff are trained in preparation and service of food offerings.
• Manage food costs and expenses within budget.
• Oversee stock ordering process for food supplies.
• Conduct monthly stock counts on the last day of each month.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Italian cuisine

Kitchen experience (Sous/Head Chef)

Open kitchen experience

Customer satisfaction

Hygiene standards

Supplier relationships

Team leadership

Accountability / responsibility

Job description

Vine Recruitment is seeking a Head Chef for a wine farm in Franschhoek. The ideal candidate will lead a busy kitchen, crafting menus with an emphasis on Italian cuisine, and ensure high hygiene standards.

The role requires strong leadership to manage a small team and forge excellent supplier relationships, all while delivering exceptional guest satisfaction. The position focuses on menu development, costings, staff training, and stock management to maintain quality and profitability in a premium