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.