Head Chef / Kitchen Manager - Contemporary Restaurant - Cape Town
South Africa Western Cape Cape Town
ZAR 28000 - 35000 Monthly
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Head Chef / Kitchen Manager - Contemporary Restaurant - Cape Town
Apply NowSummary
Our client is seeking an experienced and commercially minded Head Chef / Kitchen Manager to take ownership of the kitchen operation at a busy contemporary restaurant in Cape Town.
This role requires more than strong cooking ability. We are looking for a hands-on kitchen leader who can deliver consistent food quality while managing food cost, stock, staffing, hygiene, preparation and the daily systems required to run a profitable kitchen.
The successful candidate will be equally comfortable behind the pass, managing a busy service and working through food-cost or stock figures.
Description
Key responsibilities will include:
- Take overall responsibility for daily kitchen operations
- Lead, supervise and develop the kitchen brigade
- Maintain consistent food quality, portioning and presentation
- Manage preparation and service across all kitchen sections
- Monitor food cost, gross profit, wastage and portion controls
- Manage stock levels, ordering, receiving and stock takes
- Implement effective FIFO and storage controls
- Maintain accurate kitchen production and prep systems
- Assist with menu development, recipe standardisation and costing
- Manage staff scheduling and kitchen productivity
- Train and mentor chefs and junior kitchen employees
- Maintain excellent food safety, hygiene and sanitation standards
- Ensure kitchen equipment and facilities are correctly maintained
- Work closely with Front of House management to ensure smooth service
- Identify operational inefficiencies and implement practical improvements
Minimum Requirements
- Proven experience as a Head Chef, Kitchen Manager or strong Senior Sous Chef ready to step up
- Strong restaurant kitchen-management experience
- Excellent practical cooking and service skills
- Proven ability to manage food cost, stock, ordering and wastage
- Strong understanding of recipe costing and portion controls
- Confident team leader with the ability to train and hold staff accountable
- Excellent kitchen organisation and service-management skills
- Strong food hygiene and safety knowledge
- Commercially aware and comfortable working with kitchen figures
- Hands-on management style
- Calm and decisive during busy services
- Reliable, organised and solutions driven
- Comfortable working restaurant hours, including evenings, weekends and public holidays
Salary & Benefits
- Salary: R28,000 – R35,000 per month, depending on experience
- Employment: Permanent
- Location: Cape Town