Luxury Safari Sous Chef: Lead Kitchen & Guest Experience

MORE Collection; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

MORE Collection invites applicants for a Sous Chef at Upper Union, a luxury safari lodge kitchen in Cape Town. You will support the Head Chef, lead preparations and service, ensure high quality, manage hygiene and cost controls, and cover the Head Chef in their absence.

You will develop the kitchen team, coordinate sections with Front of House, handle dietary requirements, and contribute to menu development and guest experience, while delivering consistent, exceptional dining across service.

Qualifications

• A recognised culinary qualification or equivalent practical professional kitchen training.
• Previous experience as a Sous Chef or strong Junior Sous Chef in a quality, high-volume restaurant or comparable hospitality environment.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate a busy kitchen service and lead a diverse brigade.
• Strong working knowledge of food preparation, menu execution, dietary requirements, allergens, food safety and kitchen hygiene.
• Good understanding of recipe costing, yields, portion control, ordering, stocktakes, stock rotation and waste management.
• Confident communication, coaching, problem‑solving and decision‑making skills.
• Organised, detail-focused and able to remain composed and accurate under pressure.
• Creative and quality‑driven while remaining commercially aware and disciplined in execution.
• Willing and able to work restaurant hours, including evenings, weekends and public holidays, according to the operational roster.
• Computer literacy and the ability to maintain accurate operational records.

Responsibilities

• Lead by example during preparation and service, ensuring dishes are produced consistently, on time and to Upper Union’s approved recipes, presentation and quality standards.
• Check the taste, seasoning, temperature, portioning and presentation of dishes before they leave the kitchen.
• Coordinate sections and service flow, anticipating pressure points and reallocating resources where required.
• Ensure mise en place, prep lists, handovers and closing duties are completed accurately and on time.
• Work closely with Front of House to support smooth service, clear communication and an aligned guest experience.
• Handle dietary requirements, allergies and special requests carefully and in accordance with approved procedures.
• Assume operational responsibility for the kitchen when the Head Chef is absent.
• Support the Head Chef with menu implementation, recipe testing, seasonal changes and the introduction of new dishes.
• Maintain recipe, yield, portion and plating standards to protect quality, consistency and food cost.
• Monitor product quality, availability and correct storage, and raise concerns with the Head Chef promptly.
• Create a kitchen culture that understands how every plate contributes to the overall guest experience.
• Supervise, brief, coach and support the kitchen team to deliver clear daily priorities and service standards.
• Allocate duties fairly and effectively according to skill, workload and anticipated business levels.

Skills

Culinary leadership

High-volume kitchen

Team coaching

Food safety & hygiene

Menu planning

Dietary requirements

Communication

Education

Culinary qualification or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Word/Excel

Job description

MORE Collection invites applicants for a Sous Chef at Upper Union, a luxury safari lodge kitchen in Cape Town. You will support the Head Chef, lead preparations and service, ensure high quality, manage hygiene and cost controls, and cover the Head Chef in their absence.

You will develop the kitchen team, coordinate sections with Front of House, handle dietary requirements, and contribute to menu development and guest experience, while delivering consistent, exceptional dining across service.