Senior Sous Chef

Esteem Recruitment; Gqeberha; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Esteem Recruitment is seeking a seasoned head chef for Shamwari Lodge in South Africa. You will lead daily kitchen operations, ensure top-tier quality and presentation, and supervise a brigade while collaborating with front- and back-of-house teams.

The role requires a Diploma in Culinary Arts with at least 5 years in a senior culinary role within a luxury hospitality setting, plus proven leadership of kitchen brigades.

Qualifications

• Diploma in Culinary Arts or equivalent qualification.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a senior culinary role in a 5-star lodge or hospitality environment.
• Proven leadership experience managing kitchen brigades.

Responsibilities

• Stay up to date with changes in industry standards, policies, and best practices.
• Run daily kitchen shifts and conduct pre-shift briefings with front- and back-of-house teams.
• Manage guest interactions regarding menu requests, dietary requirements, and special occasions.
• Ensure all food meets Shamwari’s quality, presentation, and service standards.
• Adhere to standardized recipes, portion control, and plating standards.
• Maintain organized cyclical menus, recipes, and kitchen documentation.
• Oversee daily kitchen operations and complete records and admin duties on time.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, hygiene, security, and health & safety regulations.
• Monitor, manage, and motivate kitchen staff during prep and service.
• Assist with stock control, ordering, food costing, and wastage management.
• Support all kitchen sections for seamless service and personalized guest dining.
• Train, mentor, and develop junior chefs to maintain high performance.

Education

Diploma in Culinary Arts

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• Stay up to date with changes in industry standards, policies, and best practices
• Run daily kitchen shifts and conduct pre‑shift briefings in collaboration with front‑ and back‑of‑house teams
• Manage guest interactions relating to menu requests, dietary requirements, and special occasions, ensuring clear and timely communication with the Lodge team
• Ensure all food prepared and served meets Shamwari’s quality, presentation, and service standards
• Adhere to and enforce standardized recipes, portion control, and plating standards across the kitchen brigade
• Maintain an organized system for cyclical menus, recipes, and kitchen documentation
• Oversee daily kitchen operations, ensuring all records and administrative duties are completed accurately and time‑wise
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, hygiene, security, and health & safety legislation and internal policies
• Monitor, manage, and motivate kitchen staff during preparation and service
• Assist with stock control, ordering, food costing, and wastage management
• Support all kitchen sections to ensure seamless service delivery and an exceptional, personalized guest dining experience
• Train, mentor, and develop junior chefs to maintain high performance and consistency

Qualifications

• Diploma or other formal qualification in Culinary Arts
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a senior culinary role within a 5-star lodge or hospitality environment
• Proven leadership experience managing kitchen brigades