Head Chef – Luxury Boutique Hotel & Spa – Plettenberg Bay | Lb

JVR Software; Plettenberg Bay; On-site; ZAR 335,000 - 446,000; Full time

Job summary

HotelJobs in the Western Cape is seeking a talented Head Chef to lead the culinary offering at a luxury boutique hotel and spa in Plettenberg Bay. This leadership role requires balancing creativity with structure, delivering memorable guest experiences while running an efficient, commercially focused kitchen.

The ideal candidate has at least three years in a senior kitchen role, a formal culinary qualification, strong leadership and food-cost control skills, and the ability to develop

Qualifications

• At least three years experience as Head Chef or in a senior kitchen leadership role.
• Experience in luxury or boutique hospitality.
• A formal culinary qualification from a recognised institution.
• Proven ability to create and execute high-quality menus and culinary concepts.
• Strong kitchen leadership and team management experience.
• Financial confidence, including food-cost control and stock management.
• Strong organisational, administrative and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Good understanding of health, safety and hygiene requirements.
• Strong computer literacy; TallOrder or similar systems would be an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver seasonal menus inspired by local ingredients and a simple, honest approach to food.
• Maintain excellent food quality, presentation and consistency across all meal periods.
• Lead the day-to-day kitchen operation, including preparation, service, hygiene and quality control.
• Establish effective kitchen systems and workflows, and ensure compliance with food safety, hygiene and health regulations.
• Lead, mentor and develop the kitchen team, supporting recruitment, training, performance management and staff scheduling.
• Manage food costs, margins, stock control, procurement and supplier relationships.
• Ensure accurate menu costing and contribute to pricing decisions.
• Identify opportunities to enhance revenue through special menus, events and bespoke guest experiences.
• Work collaboratively with management and front-of-house teams to deliver smooth service and a consistent guest experience.
• Build relationships with local suppliers and support sustainable sourcing.
• Work with senior culinary leadership to shape and refine the food offering.

Skills

Kitchen leadership

Menu development

Cost control

Team management

Communication

Food safety

Culinary concepts

Technology literacy

Education

Formal culinary qualification

Tools

TallOrder

Job description

Employer HotelJobs Location Western Cape Job type Other IT/Computer Salary Not specified Posted 30 Oct 2026

Head Chef Luxury Boutique Hotel & Spa Plettenberg Bay ? Salary: R30,000R40,000 per month, live-out Kendrick Recruitment is seeking a talented, thoughtful and hands-on Head Chef to lead the culinary offering at a luxury boutique hotel and spa. This is a leadership role for a chef who can balance creativity with structure, maintain high standards and deliver memorable guest experiences while managing an efficient and commercially sound kitchen.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and deliver seasonal menus inspired by local ingredients and a simple, honest approach to food.
• Maintain excellent food quality, presentation and consistency across all meal periods.
• Lead the day-to-day kitchen operation, including preparation, service, hygiene and quality control.
• Establish effective kitchen systems and workflows, and ensure compliance with food safety, hygiene and health regulations.
• Lead, mentor and develop the kitchen team, supporting recruitment, training, performance management and staff scheduling.
• Manage food costs, margins, stock control, procurement and supplier relationships.
• Ensure accurate menu costing and contribute to pricing decisions.
• Identify opportunities to enhance revenue through special menus, events and bespoke guest experiences.
• Work collaboratively with management and front-of-house teams to deliver smooth service and a consistent guest experience.
• Build relationships with local suppliers and support sustainable sourcing.
• Work with senior culinary leadership to shape and refine the food offering.

Requirements

• At least three years experience as a Head Chef or in a similar senior kitchen leadership role.
• Experience in luxury or boutique hospitality.
• A formal culinary qualification from a recognised institution.
• A proven ability to create and execute high-quality menus and culinary concepts.
• Strong kitchen leadership and team management experience.
• Financial confidence, including food-cost control and stock management.
• Strong organisational, administrative and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• A good understanding of health, safety and hygiene requirements.
• Strong computer literacy; experience with TallOrder or similar systems would be an advantage.

Personal qualities

The ideal candidate will be warm, grounded and professional; dependable, self-motivated and detail-oriented; calm and solutions-focused under pressure; confident without ego; and curious, generous and willing to teach. They should enjoy building strong relationships with guests and colleagues and take a collaborative, hands-on approach to kitchen leadership.

If you do not hear from us within 7 working days, please consider your application unsuccessful on this occasion.