Senior Event Chef

Placements24; Upington; Hybrid; ZAR 420,000 - 700,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Professional development

Career advancement

Exposure to diverse events

Job summary

Placements24 in Upington, Northern Cape, is seeking a Senior Event Chef to lead culinary operations for a variety of events. The role combines strategic menu planning with hands-on kitchen leadership, with significant on-site supervision and remote planning tasks.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in event catering, formal culinary training, and a proven ability to manage kitchen teams, control costs, and deliver exceptional food experiences across diverse cuisines.

Qualifications

• Formal culinary training or equivalent professional experience.
• 5+ years of experience as a Chef, with event catering or high-volume environments.
• Proven leadership and team management in a kitchen setting.
• Strong knowledge of diverse cuisines, cooking techniques and presentation.
• Excellent understanding of food safety regulations and best practices.
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced event schedule.
• Strong organizational and time-management abilities.
• Creative flair and passion for delivering exceptional culinary experiences.
• Flexibility to work irregular hours, including evenings, weekends and public holidays.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop creative, high-quality menus tailored to client needs and event themes.
• Lead and mentor the kitchen team during event preparation and execution.
• Oversee all aspects of food preparation, cooking and presentation for consistency and excellence.
• Manage kitchen inventory, stock control and procurement for quality and cost-effectiveness.
• Maintain high hygiene, food safety and sanitation standards in the kitchen.
• Collaborate with event planners and sales teams to meet event requirements and client expectations.
• Conduct on-site cooking and service management for events.
• Control food costs and minimize waste through effective kitchen management.
• Stay updated on culinary trends to enhance menu offerings.
• Ensure timely and efficient execution of all culinary tasks related to events.

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a premier catering company known for its innovative culinary experiences and exceptional event execution, is seeking a talented and experienced Senior Event Chef to lead culinary operations in Upington, Northern Cape . This role is perfect for a passionate chef who thrives in a dynamic events environment and has a flair for creating memorable dishes for a variety of functions, from corporate events to private celebrations. You will work closely with the event planning team to design bespoke menus, manage kitchen staff, ensure the highest standards of food quality and presentation, and oversee food preparation and execution on-site. The ideal candidate possesses a strong understanding of diverse cuisines, excellent leadership skills, and a proven ability to manage kitchen operations efficiently and creatively. This hybrid role allows for strategic menu planning and administrative tasks to be managed remotely, with significant on-site presence required for event execution and team supervision in and around Upington . You will be instrumental in maintaining and elevating our client's reputation for culinary excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop creative, high-quality menus tailored to specific client needs and event themes.
• Lead and mentor the kitchen team during event preparation and execution.
• Oversee all aspects of food preparation, cooking, and presentation to ensure consistency and excellence.
• Manage kitchen inventory, stock control, and procurement of ingredients to ensure quality and cost-effectiveness.
• Maintain impeccable standards of hygiene, food safety, and sanitation in the kitchen.
• Collaborate with event planners and sales teams to understand event requirements and client expectations.
• Conduct on-site cooking and service management for events.
• Control food costs and minimize waste through effective kitchen management.
• Stay updated on culinary trends and innovations to enhance menu offerings.
• Ensure timely and efficient execution of all culinary tasks related to events.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of experience as a Chef, with a significant focus on event catering or a high-volume culinary environment.
• Formal culinary training or equivalent professional experience is required.
• Proven leadership and team management skills within a kitchen setting.
• Strong knowledge of various cuisines, cooking techniques, and presentation styles.
• Excellent understanding of food safety regulations and best practices.
• Ability to work under pressure and adapt to the demands of a fast-paced event schedule.
• Strong organizational and time-management abilities.
• Creative flair and a passion for delivering exceptional culinary experiences.
• Flexibility to work irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and public holidays, essential for event catering in Upington, Northern Cape .
• Ability to thrive in both remote planning and on-site operational capacities.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package reflecting your expertise.
• Opportunity to lead culinary direction for a wide range of exciting events.
• Hybrid work model offering flexibility in planning and on-site execution.
• Be part of a respected brand known for culinary innovation.
• Professional development and potential for career advancement.
• Work in a unique and scenic part of South Africa.
• Exposure to diverse and high-profile clients.