Head Chef

Head Chef – Luxury Lodge – Hoedspruit

Salary: R29,100 (Live-in)

Kendrick Recruitment is recruiting for an experienced and dynamic Head Chef to join a prestigious luxury lodge in the Hoedspruit area. This is a senior kitchen leadership role suited to a hands-on professional with strong operational, administrative, and mentoring skills, capable of delivering exceptional culinary standards across multiple dining environments.

Key Requirements

• Minimum of 4–5 years’ experience in a similar Head Chef role within a luxury lodge or high-end hospitality environment
  

• Proven experience managing à la carte service for up to 165 guests, including buffet service and outdoor functions
  

• Strong leadership and team management abilities
  

• Excellent organisational and administrative skills
  

• Creative approach to menu development and current food trends
  

• Calm, composed, and effective under pressure
  

• High level of attention to detail and refined presentation standards
  

• Ability to mentor, coach, and develop kitchen staff
  

• Valid driver’s licence
  

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the daily running of the kitchen in collaboration with the Executive Chef
  

• Maintain exceptional levels of cleanliness and hygiene within the kitchen
  

• Manage full kitchen inventory, stock control, and procurement in line with health and safety standards
  

• Oversee food preparation and ensure consistent quality and presentation
  

• Approve and conduct final checks on dishes before service to guests
  

• Supervise and discipline kitchen staff, including chefs and scullery team
  

• Manage dietary requirements and special guest requests
  

• Ensure all set-up requirements for dining services and functions are completed on time
  

• Manage the kitchen pass, including expediting hot, cold, and pastry sections
  

• Oversee à la carte, buffet, and outdoor catering operations
  

• Handle guest feedback and resolve any kitchen-related complaints professionally
  

• Manage rosters and staffing requirements
  

• Oversee scullery operations and kitchen cleaning programmes
  

• Ensure recipe consistency, product knowledge, and prep-list execution
  

• Conduct purchasing, invoice capturing, stock takes, and daily and month-end reporting
  

• Manage kitchen equipment maintenance and preventative repair programmes
  

Candidates who meet the above requirements are encouraged to submit their CV to Kendrick Recruitment to apply for this role.