Remote Executive Catering Chef

Placements24; Randburg; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Remote working from home

Flexible schedule

Professional development opportunities

Innovative team

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an Executive Catering Chef for a fully remote role within a leading events and hospitality firm. You will design menus, ensure top-quality food, and uphold strict hygiene standards across all remotely managed events.

You will lead virtual teams, collaborate with planners and clients, and innovate across diverse cuisines while maintaining cost controls and schedules. The ideal candidate has strong leadership and remote communication skills and a culinary degree or

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive culinary experience, with 3+ years in a senior catering or executive chef role.
• Proven menu development, kitchen management, and food costing expertise.
• Deep knowledge of international cuisines and dietary requirements.
• Strong remote leadership and communication skills for virtual teams.
• Culinary degree or equivalent professional certification.

Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, develop, and present innovative and seasonal menus for events.
• Oversee recipe development, costing, and portion control.
• Provide virtual guidance and training to catering staff.
• Collaborate remotely with planners and clients to understand needs.
• Maintain knowledge of food trends and dietary best practices.
• Ensure food safety and hygiene regulations (HACCP) are followed remotely.
• Source ingredients, manage supplier relationships, and inventory via remote oversight.
• Troubleshoot culinary issues during events with remote solutions.

Skills

Menu development

Kitchen management

Food costing

Remote leadership

Communication

Culinary creativity

Education

Culinary degree or certification

Tools

Virtual collaboration tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent events and hospitality management firm, is seeking a highly skilled and imaginative Executive Catering Chef to lead their culinary operations. This is a fully remote, first-of-its-kind opportunity within the catering industry, offering the flexibility to manage and innovate from anywhere. You will be instrumental in developing exquisite menus, ensuring exceptional food quality, and maintaining stringent hygiene standards across all events managed by our client. This role requires a proactive individual with a deep understanding of diverse cuisines and catering logistics, capable of guiding teams and inspiring culinary excellence without direct on-site supervision. The ideal candidate will thrive in a dynamic, remote environment and possess outstanding communication and leadership skills to connect with virtual teams and clients.

Key Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, develop, and present innovative and seasonal menus for a wide range of catering events, from intimate gatherings to large-scale corporate functions.
• Oversee recipe development, costing, and portion control to ensure profitability and consistency across all culinary offerings.
• Provide virtual guidance and training to catering staff, focusing on culinary techniques, food safety, and presentation standards.
• Collaborate with event planners and clients remotely to understand their specific needs, preferences, and dietary restrictions, offering expert culinary advice.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of food trends, ingredients, and dietary best practices to continuously enhance the catering menu.
• Ensure all culinary activities adhere to strict food safety and hygiene regulations (e.g., HACCP principles), even when managed remotely.
• Source high-quality ingredients, build and maintain relationships with suppliers, and manage inventory effectively through remote oversight.
• Troubleshoot any culinary issues that arise during events or preparation phases, providing swift and effective remote solutions.

Requirements

• A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in culinary arts, with at least 3 years in a senior catering or executive chef role.
• Proven experience in menu development, kitchen management, and food costing.
• Exceptional understanding of various international cuisines and dietary requirements (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, allergies, etc.).
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to motivate and manage teams remotely.
• Proficiency in using virtual collaboration tools and platforms for communication and project management.
• A passion for food innovation and a creative flair for presentation.
• Culinary degree or equivalent professional certification from a recognized institution.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be comfortable and effective working autonomously and remotely from Randburg, Gauteng, ZA or surrounding areas.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary commensurate with experience.
• Opportunity to shape the culinary direction of a growing catering company.
• Work from the comfort of your home with a fully remote setup.
• Professional development and continuous learning opportunities.
• Be part of an innovative team dedicated to delivering exceptional client experiences.