Lodge Head Chef

HotelJobs; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 670,000 - 837,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Live-out accommodation

Job summary

HotelJobs is seeking a highly experienced Head Chef to lead the culinary offering at a luxury lodge in the Little Brak River area, Western Cape. You will manage a five-star kitchen, craft refined lodge cuisine, and deliver exceptional guest dining experiences including boma evenings and special events.

The role requires hands-on leadership, creativity, and strong organisation, with responsibility for standards, costs, safety, and guest preferences.

Qualifications

• Lead the daily operation of a professional five-star lodge kitchen.
• Develop creative, seasonal menus that complement the luxury lodge experience.
• Plan and execute boma evenings, special events and distinctive guest dining experiences.
• Maintain excellent food quality, presentation and consistency across all services.
• Manage kitchen preparation, service flow and communication between departments.
• Lead; train and motivate the kitchen team while maintaining clear performance standards.
• Implement effective stock control, purchasing and supplier management procedures.
• Monitor food costs, portion control, wastage and kitchen expenditure.
• Maintain accurate kitchen records, inventories and operational documentation.
• Ensure strict compliance with hygiene, food safety and workplace safety standards.
• Manage dietary requirements and guest preferences professionally and accurately.
• Maintain high standards during busy services and changing operational demands.
• Proven ability to operate and lead a five-star kitchen is essential.
• Strong experience in luxury lodge, boutique hotel or comparable hospitality environments is essential.
• Experience with boma dining and outdoor culinary events is highly advantageous.
• Excellent culinary, leadership, planning and problem-solving abilities are required.
• Must be a confident, hands-on chef with strong attention to detail.
• Must have a reliable vehicle and valid driving licence.
• Must be able to secure and maintain own accommodation near Little Brak River.

Responsibilities

• Lead the daily operation of a professional five-star lodge kitchen.
• Develop creative, seasonal menus that complement the luxury lodge experience.
• Plan and execute boma evenings, special events and distinctive guest dining experiences.
• Maintain excellent food quality, presentation and consistency across all services.
• Manage kitchen preparation, service flow and communication between departments.
• Lead; train and motivate the kitchen team while maintaining clear performance standards.
• Implement effective stock control, purchasing and supplier management procedures.
• Monitor food costs, portion control, wastage and kitchen expenditure.
• Maintain accurate kitchen records, inventories and operational documentation.
• Ensure strict compliance with hygiene, food safety and workplace safety standards.
• Manage dietary requirements and guest preferences professionally and accurately.
• Maintain high standards during busy services and changing operational demands.
• Proven ability to operate and lead a five-star kitchen is essential.
• Strong experience in luxury lodge, boutique hotel or comparable hospitality environments is essential.
• Experience with boma dining and outdoor culinary events is highly advantageous.
• Excellent culinary, leadership, planning and problem-solving abilities are required.
• Must be a confident, hands-on chef with strong attention to detail.
• Must have a reliable vehicle and valid driving licence.
• Must be able to secure and maintain own accommodation near Little Brak River.

Skills

Head Chef

Five-star kitchen

Menu development

Leadership

Cost management

Job description

Hospitality and Outdoor - New Vacancy - Head Chef

Luxury Lodge - Little Brak River Area - Western Cape

An exciting opportunity is available for a highly experienced and operationally strong Head Chef to lead the culinary offering at a luxury lodge . The successful candidate must be confident managing a five-star kitchen and delivering consistently exceptional guest dining experiences. This includes refined lodge cuisine, memorable boma evenings and special dining events. This is a hands-on leadership role requiring creativity, discipline, excellent organisation and a genuine passion for hospitality.

The Head Chef will take full responsibility for kitchen operations, culinary standards, team performance, cost management and food safety. As accommodation is not provided, applicants must have their own reliable vehicle and secure their own accommodation within a practical commuting distance.

Job Description & Requirements

• Lead the daily operation of a professional five-star lodge kitchen.
• Develop creative, seasonal menus that complement the luxury lodge experience.
• Plan and execute boma evenings, special events and distinctive guest dining experiences.
• Maintain excellent food quality, presentation and consistency across all services.
• Manage kitchen preparation, service flow and communication between departments.
• Lead; train and motivate the kitchen team while maintaining clear performance standards.
• Implement effective stock control, purchasing and supplier management procedures.
• Monitor food costs, portion control, wastage and kitchen expenditure.
• Maintain accurate kitchen records, inventories and operational documentation.
• Ensure strict compliance with hygiene, food safety and workplace safety standards.
• Manage dietary requirements and guest preferences professionally and accurately.
• Maintain high standards during busy services and changing operational demands.
• Proven ability to operate and lead a five-star kitchen is essential.
• Strong experience in luxury lodge, boutique hotel or comparable hospitality environments is essential.
• Experience with boma dining and outdoor culinary events is highly advantageous.
• Excellent culinary, leadership, planning and problem-solving abilities are required.
• Must be a confident, hands-on chef with strong attention to detail.
• Must have a reliable vehicle and valid driving licence.
• Must be able to secure and maintain own accommodation near Little Brak River.

Package

• Salary: R60 000 - R75 000 per month
• Accommodation: Live-out