Head Chef

SUMMARY:
A secluded, ultra-luxury private game reserve in the Northern Cape is seeking a creative and experienced HEAD CHEF to lead its kitchen.

POSITION INFO:
The successful candidate will take ownership of a large part of the kitchen and run it independently. This is a hands-on leadership role in a remote setting, suited to a chef who is as strong on cost control and consistency as they are on creativity. Core Criteria: Previous experience as a Head Chef or Sous Chef in a luxury lodge, fine dining, or high-end hospitality environment Proven ability to work independently and manage a large part of the kitchen with minimal supervision Proven experience in menu development, food costing, and managing food cost percentages Strong stock control, ordering, and kitchen administration skills Solid leadership and team management ability, with experience training and mentoring junior chefs Experience with seasonal, farm-to-table, or garden-driven cooking High standards of hygiene, health, and food safety Ability to cater for individual dietary requirements and personalised guest requests Comfortable working under pressure in a remote, intimate lodge environment Excellent communication skills and strong attention to detail Core Responsibilities: Lead the daily kitchen operation and oversee the preparation and presentation of all meals Take full ownership of your section of the kitchen, from prep through to service Design and implement seasonal menus that make the most of home-grown and locally sourced ingredients Maintain consistency in recipes, portioning, and plating to a fine dining standard Manage menu costing, kitchen budgets, and food cost percentages Oversee ordering, requisitions, stock rotation, and regular stock takes Work closely with the lodge management and guest service teams to deliver personalised dining experiences Supervise, train, and develop the kitchen team Enforce hygiene and food safety standards at all times Report equipment and maintenance issues and keep the kitchen well organised