Head Chef / Kitchen Manager

Rosemary Hill; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 300,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading hospitality establishment in Pretoria seeks an experienced Kitchen Manager to oversee all kitchen operations. The ideal candidate will have a strong culinary background, proven management skills, and a commitment to maintaining high standards of quality and customer satisfaction. This is a hands-on role requiring creativity, excellent guest relations, and effective team leadership.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as head chef required.
• Minimum of 3 years in a 4 or 5 star environment.
• Strong knowledge of health and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Manage kitchen staff and coordinate food preparation.
• Ensure compliance with nutrition and sanitation regulations.
• Control food preparation and manage inventory effectively.

Skills

Kitchen Management

Food Safety

Menu Planning

Leadership

Communication

Attention to Detail

Education

Degree in Culinary Science

Tools

MS Office

Restaurant Management Software

POS Systems

Job description

Job Overview

We are looking for an experienced and qualified kitchen manager to oversee the kitchen’s operations. You will be the first in command in the facility and will create and inspect dishes before they arrive at the customers. You need to ensure the highest quality and customer satisfaction. Happy guests in our restaurant and event venues revolves around freshness, high quality food, it’s appearance and the overall dining experience.

You will be responsible for managing kitchen staff, coordinating food preparation, monitoring inventory, and adhering to health and safety standards as required by law.

Rosemary Hill hosts numerous functions and picnics per week and does daily catering for various small groups as well as running a coffee shop serving Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner and offering baked goods for sale.

Responsibilities

• Control and direct the food preparation process and any other relevant activities
• Liaising with guests to create dinner menus and ensure that requests and dietary requirements are met
• Approve and “tweak” dishes before they reach the customer
• Menu planning, stock control and ordering
• Plan orders of equipment or ingredients according to identified shortages
• Maintaining food costs within budget
• Arrange for repairs of OE and facilities when necessary
• Remedy any problems or defects
• Comply with nutrition and sanitation regulations and safety standards
• Be fully in charge of hiring, managing and training kitchen staff
• Oversee the work of all kitchen staff, including scullers
• Manage staff workload and ensure fair compensation and off time is in place.
• Maintain records of attendance
• Foster a climate of cooperation and respect between co-workers in your department as well as across other departments and with management, ensuring a harmonious work place.
• Commitment to training the team and developing those with potential with a view to internally promote team members.

Requirements

• Proven experience as head chef
• Exceptional proven ability of kitchen management
• Ability in dividing responsibilities and monitoring progress
• Up-to-date with culinary trends and optimised kitchen processes
• Good understanding of useful computer programs (MS Office, restaurant management software, POS)
• Credentials in health and safety training including food safety, storage and health standards,
• Sound knowledge of Industrial Relations and procedures
• Able to maintain 5 star standards
• Strength in a la carte and banqueting
• Creative with menus, presentation and garnish skills
• Able to work shifts or work additional shifts and hours at short notice
• Able to perform under pressure
• Own transport essential
• Versatile in providing different styles of cuisine
• Good understanding of nutrition, food allergies restrictions and choices
• Degree in Culinary science or related certificate
• A minimum of 3 years working experience in a 4* or 5* environment, including demonstrated career growth
• 3 contactable references

Personal Traits

• A working chef who is totally hands-on
• Excellent guest relations and self-confidence.
• High degree of attention to detail
• Sense of fun
• Outstanding communication and leadership skills
• Excellent planning & strong organisational skills
• Self-motivated team player able to motivate others
• Must be a non-smoker
• Presentable at all times with good personal hygiene

Please send your CV and a letter stating why you would be a good fit for the job, [e-mail]

*Pro tip: Check our website and socials, figure out what makes us tick, and impress us with inside info that will ensure you are ahead of the pack when we need to make our shortlist of candidates!

Should your application be successful, we will contact you to arrange for an interview. If you do not hear from us within 14 days, please consider the application unsuccessful.