Resident-Focused Head Chef for Retirement Living

Oasis Life; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 640,000; Full time

Job summary

Oasis Life Sunningdale in Cape Town is seeking a Head Chef to lead the kitchen team, plan menus, and deliver nutritious meals for residents.

This full-time, on-site role requires strong culinary leadership, menu development for varied dietary needs, stock control, budgeting, and compliance with food safety standards. You will collaborate with hospitality and healthcare teams to create a warm, resident-focused dining experience.

Qualifications

• Must have professional culinary training and proven Head Chef or Senior Chef experience in hospitality or retirement/healthcare environments.
• Strong menu planning and food preparation for varied dietary needs.
• In-depth knowledge of food safety standards and kitchen hygiene.
• Experience in kitchen operations: supervising staff, scheduling, stock control, ordering, and cost management.
• Ability to work with multidisciplinary teams to support resident wellbeing.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills with high-volume service.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with older adults and families.
• Flexible to work shifts, weekends, and public holidays; on-site environment.
• Experience in later-life retirement or care communities is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead the kitchen team to deliver high-quality, nutritious meals for residents.
• Plan menus aligned with dietary needs and resident preferences.
• Oversee food preparation and presentation and ensure consistent adherence to food safety and health regulations.
• Manage stock control, ordering, and kitchen budgets; train and supervise kitchen staff.
• Collaborate with hospitality and healthcare teams to accommodate special diets and resident wellbeing.
• Maintain high culinary standards and adapt menus as resident needs evolve; support hospitality ethos.

Skills

Culinary training

Menu planning

Food preparation

Food safety

Kitchen operations

Cross-functional collaboration

Time management

Resident communication

Aged care experience

Education

Culinary qualification

Job description

Oasis Life Sunningdale in Cape Town is seeking a Head Chef to lead the kitchen team, plan menus, and deliver nutritious meals for residents.

This full-time, on-site role requires strong culinary leadership, menu development for varied dietary needs, stock control, budgeting, and compliance with food safety standards. You will collaborate with hospitality and healthcare teams to create a warm, resident-focused dining experience.