Luxury lodge looking for Head Chef
North West, South Africa · Permanent · Food & Beverage
Wilcon is recruiting an experienced and passionate Head Chef for a prestigious 5-star lodge in the North West. The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing the daily operation of a large, high-volume kitchen while maintaining exceptional culinary and service standards. We are looking for a confident leader with strong kitchen-management skills, creativity and a genuine passion for delivering memorable guest experiences. Key Responsibilities: • Manage and oversee all daily kitchen operations • Lead, train and motivate the kitchen team • Develop creative, high-quality menus suited to a 5-star lodge environment • Maintain consistent food quality, presentation and portion-control standards • Manage food costs, stock levels, ordering and inventory • Ensure the kitchen operates efficiently during busy service periods • Maintain excellent food-safety, hygiene and cleanliness standards • Minimise food waste and manage kitchen resources effectively • Work closely with lodge management and other departments • Cater for guests’ dietary requirements and special requests • Ensure all meals meet the lodge’s required standards Minimum Requirements: • At least 2–3 years’ experience as a Head Chef • Previous experience working in a 5-star lodge • Proven experience managing a large kitchen • Strong leadership and team-management skills • Excellent menu-planning and food-costing abilities • Sound knowledge of food safety and hygiene requirements • Ability to work calmly and efficiently under pressure • Excellent organisational and communication skills • High attention to detail and presentation • A relevant culinary qualification would be advantageous