Head Chef / Kitchen Manager

Craven Cottage CC; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 360,000 - 720,000; Full time

Job summary

Craven Cottage CC is seeking a hands-on Head Chef to oversee daily kitchen operations in South Africa's Gauteng region. The role focuses on high-quality food preparation, presentation, and efficient service flow, with responsibility for team leadership and kitchen workflows.

The ideal candidate will hold a formal culinary qualification, have 3+ years of experience in a similar role, and be dedicated to hygiene, safety and excellence in a bakery or food production setting.

Qualifications

• Must have formal culinary training and a completion of Grade 12.
• Minimum of 3+ years' experience in a similar role.
• Attention to detail, passion for quality and organisation.
• Ability to follow recipes accurately and work neatly and efficiently.
• Experience in bakery, kitchen or food production environment.
• Demonstrates reliability, initiative and an owner’s mindset when working independently.
• Committed to hygiene, food safety and high service standards.

Responsibilities

• Oversee food prep, maintain high taste and presentation standards, and manage service flow.
• Hire, train, schedule, and motivate the kitchen crew.
• Order stock, manage suppliers, conduct stock counts, and monitor food and labour budgets.
• Design new dishes, test recipes, and calculate food costs.
• Enforce hygiene rules, food safety laws, and equipment maintenance.

Education

Grade 12

Formal culinary qualification

Job description

Duties:

• Oversee food prep, maintain high taste and presentation standards, and manage service flow.
• Hire, train, schedule, and motivate the kitchen crew.
• Order stock, manage suppliers, conduct stock counts, and monitor food and labour budgets.
• Design new dishes, test recipes, and calculate food costs.
• Enforce hygiene rules, food safety laws, and equipment maintenance.

Requirements:

• Grade 12
• Formal culinary qualification
• At least 3+ years' experience in a similar position
• Strong attention to detail and a genuine passion for quality and organisation.
• Proven ability to follow recipes accurately and work neatly and efficiently.
• Experience in a bakery, kitchen, or food production environment
• Reliability; initiative, and a proactive "owner's mindset" even when working independently.
• Commitment to hygiene, food safety, and high service standards.