Sous Chef - Wine Estate Fine Dining

Placements24; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 360,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 is recruiting a Sous Chef for a prestigious wine estate in Stellenbosch, Western Cape. The role involves supporting the Head Chef with daily kitchen operations, supervising a skilled culinary team, and ensuring impeccable food quality and presentation to complement award-winning wines.

Ideal candidates have at least 4 years in fine dining or high-quality restaurants, strong leadership, and a passion for creative cuisine with wine pairing expertise.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Head Chef in all aspects of kitchen management and operations.
• Supervise and guide the culinary team during service, ensuring adherence to recipes and standards.
• Oversee food preparation, cooking, and plating, maintaining high standards of quality and presentation.
• Contribute to menu development, creating innovative dishes that pair well with the estate's wines.
• Manage inventory, including stock rotation, ordering, and minimizing waste.
• Ensure strict compliance with health, safety, and sanitation regulations.
• Train and mentor commis chefs and kitchen assistants.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of the kitchen and storage areas.
• Conduct quality checks on ingredients and finished dishes.
• Support the Head Chef in managing kitchen budgets and controlling food costs.

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prestigious wine estate renowned for its exceptional culinary offerings, is seeking a talented and dedicated Sous Chef to join their esteemed kitchen team in Stellenbosch, Western Cape . This role is perfect for a passionate chef aspiring to contribute to a fine dining experience in one of South Africa's premier winelands regions. The Sous Chef will work closely with the Head Chef to manage daily kitchen operations, oversee food preparation, maintain quality standards, and mentor junior kitchen staff. You will be involved in menu development, ingredient sourcing, and ensuring the impeccable presentation of dishes that complement the estate's award-winning wines. This position offers a fantastic opportunity to hone your culinary skills in a sophisticated environment, surrounded by the beautiful vineyards of the Western Cape . The successful candidate will play a vital role in upholding the restaurant's reputation for culinary excellence and innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist the Head Chef in all aspects of kitchen management and operations.
• Supervise and guide the culinary team during service, ensuring adherence to recipes and standards.
• Oversee food preparation, cooking, and plating, maintaining high standards of quality and presentation.
• Contribute to menu development, creating innovative dishes that pair well with the estate's wines.
• Manage inventory, including stock rotation, ordering, and minimizing waste.
• Ensure strict compliance with health, safety, and sanitation regulations.
• Train and mentor commis chefs and kitchen assistants.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of the kitchen and storage areas.
• Conduct quality checks on ingredients and finished dishes.
• Support the Head Chef in managing kitchen budgets and controlling food costs.

Requirements

• A minimum of 4 years of experience as a Sous Chef or Chef de Partie in a fine dining or high-quality restaurant setting.
• Proven experience in a fast-paced kitchen environment.
• Strong culinary skills and a passion for creative, high-quality cuisine.
• Excellent understanding of fine dining principles, food pairing, and presentation techniques.
• Experience in wine and food pairing is highly advantageous.
• Good leadership and communication skills, with the ability to motivate a team.
• Knowledge of food safety and hygiene standards (e.g., HACCP).
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work flexibly, including evenings, weekends, and public holidays, in line with the demands of the wine estate in Stellenbosch .
• A culinary qualification from a recognized institution is preferred.

Benefits

• This role offers a competitive salary, opportunities for professional growth within a renowned establishment, and the chance to work alongside a highly skilled culinary team.
• You will enjoy the unique working environment of a prestigious wine estate in the heart of the Western Cape winelands.
• Benefits include potential for performance bonuses and exposure to world-class wine and food culture.
• Join a team dedicated to creating unforgettable dining experiences in beautiful Stellenbosch .