Junior Chef

Wild Dreams Hospitality; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 71,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Live-in position

Tip pool share

Lunch and dinner provided

Private room

Utilities included

Uniform provided

Self-service laundry facilities

6 days off per month

15 days annual leave

Job summary

Wild Dreams Hospitality in the Waterberg region seeks a junior cook to join its luxury lodge kitchen. This live-in role focuses on preparing nutritious daily meals for 15–20 staff, backing up senior chefs, and sharing scullery duties at a remote site hosting international groups.

We value discipline, a strong work ethic and a willingness to learn. The successful candidate will have 2–3 years kitchen experience or recently graduated, exceptional English, and a reliable, long-term commitment to

Qualifications

• 2–3 years kitchen experience or a recent hospitality/culinary graduate.
• Exceptional English, written and spoken.
• Able to prepare simple, nutritious meals for 15–20 staff.
• Strong understanding of food safety and hygiene.
• Clear criminal record and reliable employment history (references will be verified).
• South African citizen or valid work authorisation.
• Own transport or reliable transport plan; willing to obtain a driver’s licence if needed.
• Comfortable living and working in a remote environment.
• Positive attitude and a strong work ethic with a willingness to learn.

Responsibilities

• Plan and prepare daily staff meals for 15 to 20 people.
• Ensure meals are balanced, nutritious and served on time.
• Manage staff meal stock and keep wastage low.
• Keep the staff kitchen clean and well organised.
• Assist the senior chefs with basic prep and mise en place.
• Follow recipes and instructions from the senior chefs.
• Help with packing, storing and labelling food and with stock runs.
• Wash dishes, pots and equipment when required.
• Follow daily cleaning schedules and hygiene standards.
• Support general kitchen organisation and waste management.

Skills

Kitchen experience

English proficiency

Food safety

Reliability

Willingness to learn

Job description

A newly rebuilt luxury boutique lodge in the Waterberg is seeking an eager and reliable JUNIOR to join its kitchen team.

This role focuses on cooking nutritious daily meals for 15 to 20 staff, backing up the senior chefs, and sharing scullery duties at a remote lodge hosting international groups of up to 20 guests. It suits a disciplined, hardworking cook who wants to learn, whether an experienced canteen or lodge chef or a recent culinary graduate.

Core Criteria:

• 2 to 3 years’ kitchen experience (canteen, lodge, hotel or restaurant), or a recent hospitality / culinary school graduate
• Exceptional English, written and spoken
• Able to prepare simple, nutritious meals for 15 to 20 staff
• Strong understanding of food safety and hygiene
• Clear criminal record and a reliable employment history (references will be verified)
• South African citizen or valid work authorisation
• Own transport for days off, able to handle a gravel road, or a workable transport plan
• Valid driver’s licence, or willingness to obtain one within the first year
• Comfortable living and working in a remote, quiet environment
• Positive attitude, strong work ethic and a real willingness to learn

Core Responsibilities:

• Plan and prepare daily staff meals for 15 to 20 people
• Ensure meals are balanced, nutritious and served on time
• Manage staff meal stock and keep wastage low
• Keep the staff kitchen clean and well organised
• Assist the senior chefs with basic prep and mise en place
• Follow recipes and instructions from the senior chefs
• Help with packing, storing and labelling food, and with stock runs
• Wash dishes, pots and equipment when required
• Follow daily cleaning schedules and hygiene standards
• Support general kitchen organisation and waste management

On Offer:

• Live-in position
• Salary: R7,000 per month, depending on experience
• Share of the tip pool
• Lunch and dinner provided on rostered duty days
• Private room with communal bathroom and kitchen
• Water and electricity included
• Uniform provided (excluding footwear)
• Self-service laundry facilities
• 6 days off per month
• 15 days’ annual leave per year