Head Chef - Upscale Restaurant & Catering

Placements24; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Provident fund

Career growth opportunities

Excellent kitchen facilities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a visionary Head Chef to lead the culinary team for an upscale restaurant and large catering operation in Pretoria. You will drive menu development, kitchen leadership, and cost controls while maintaining top quality and hygiene standards.

The role requires significant senior-level kitchen experience, formal culinary qualifications, and a track record of excellence in demanding settings. Flexibility to work weekends and holidays is expected.

Qualifications

• Extensive leadership experience in a senior culinary role (7+ years).
• Proven ability to design high-quality menus and cost recipes.
• Strong cost control, budgeting, and supplier management.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the entire kitchen brigade for restaurant and catering operations.
• Design, develop and implement innovative menus considering seasonality and cost.
• Oversee all food prep, cooking, presentation, and standardization.
• Manage inventory, ordering, receiving, and storage to minimize waste.
• Enforce health, safety and sanitation standards (HACCP).
• Collaborate on menu costing, pricing strategies and kitchen budgeting.
• Maintain relationships with suppliers to ensure quality and terms.
• Train, mentor and assess kitchen staff; monitor staffing levels.

Skills

Leadership

Menu engineering

Food costing

HACCP

Staff development

Budgeting

Education

Formal culinary qualifications

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a distinguished catering and hospitality group in Pretoria , is seeking an accomplished and visionary Head Chef to lead their culinary team. This pivotal role involves overseeing the kitchen operations for both an upscale restaurant and extensive catering services, ensuring consistent quality, creativity, and operational efficiency. The Head Chef will be responsible for menu development, kitchen staff management, cost control, and maintaining the highest standards of food hygiene and presentation. If you are a culinary leader with a passion for excellence and a proven track record in demanding environments, we invite you to shape the future of our client's gastronomic offerings in Pretoria .

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the entire kitchen brigade, including sous chefs, line cooks, and commis chefs, ensuring high performance and professional development.
• Design, develop, and implement innovative, high-quality menus for both the restaurant and catering divisions, considering seasonal availability and cost-effectiveness.
• Oversee all food preparation, cooking, and presentation processes, ensuring adherence to established standards and recipes.
• Manage food inventory, including ordering, receiving, and storage, to minimize waste and control costs.
• Implement and enforce stringent health, safety, and sanitation regulations within the kitchen environment.
• Collaborate with management on menu costing, pricing strategies, and budget management for the kitchen department.
• Maintain excellent relationships with food suppliers, negotiating favorable terms and ensuring the quality of ingredients.
• Conduct regular training sessions and performance reviews for kitchen staff.
• Ensure efficient kitchen workflow and manage staffing levels to meet operational demands.

Requirements

• Extensive experience (minimum 7 years) in a senior culinary role, such as Head Chef or Executive Chef, preferably in a fine dining or high-volume catering setting.
• Formal culinary qualifications from a recognized institution.
• Proven ability in menu engineering, recipe development, and food costing.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and develop staff.
• Comprehensive knowledge of kitchen operations, food safety standards (HACCP), and waste management.
• Excellent financial acumen and experience in managing kitchen budgets.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and adapt to changing demands in a dynamic environment.
• Creative flair and a passion for culinary innovation and excellence.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including weekends and public holidays, in Pretoria .

Benefits

• A competitive salary package reflective of the role's seniority and responsibilities.
• Significant influence on culinary direction and menu innovation.
• Access to excellent kitchen facilities and resources.
• Opportunities for professional growth and advancement within the company.
• Be a key player in the thriving culinary scene of Pretoria .
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical aid and provident fund.