Kendrick Recruitment is currently seeking a skilled Junior Sous Chef for a luxury lodge based in KwaZulu-Natal.

This live-in role is suited to a passionate, driven chef with strong leadership ability, excellent organisational skills and a commitment to world-class hospitality standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensuring the highest health, safety and hygiene standards are maintained at all times
  

• Ensuring correct usage of cleaning chemicals and adequate availability of cleaning materials
  

• Adhering to approved menus and food styling guidelines
  

• Working closely with the training chef during lodge visits and being open to feedback
  

• Supporting the Executive Chef with the implementation of internal chef training programmes
  

• Remaining up to date with current food trends and guest expectations
  

• Maintaining quality and quantity control of all food leaving the kitchen, including snacks for activities
  

• Managing bush banqueting, drink stops and picnics with the use of checklists
  

• Proactive maintenance of all food preparation areas
  

• Implementing effective stock control and stock rotation procedures
  

• Maintaining strong interaction with guests and fellow chefs, encouraging feedback and idea sharing
  

• Leading by example through fair discipline, professionalism and positive teamwork
  

• Being approachable, flexible and able to work independently
  

• Managing special dietary requirements and ensuring guest needs are discussed prior to service
  

• Ensuring emergency food supplies are maintained
  

• Reporting operational issues to management
  

• Managing food costs and maintaining budget awareness
  

• Daily leftover management and minimising waste
  

• Assisting with food orders
  

• Ensuring fridges, freezers and storerooms are clean, secure and key control is practised
  

• Overseeing and leading the pastry section
  

Skills Required

• Strong communication skills with guests and team members
  

• Work standards exceeding luxury lodge expectations
  

• Excellent organisational and time-management skills
  

• Ability to think laterally and problem-solve
  

• Ability to handle pressure professionally
  

• Sound HACCP knowledge
  

• Knowledge of kitchen management systems advantageous
  

• Commitment to world-class hospitality and service standards
  

• Honest, driven and career-focused individual
  

• Strong mentoring and staff training abilities
  

• Excellent pastry skills with experience in producing high-quality desserts
  

Knowledge Required

• Hospitality operations
  

• Environmental awareness
  

• Understanding of surrounding communities
  

• Knowledge of South Africa and lodge operations
  

• Valid, unendorsed South African driver’s licence essential
  

Experience Required

• Minimum of three years’ relevant experience in a similar role
  

• Previous experience within luxury lodge or high-end hospitality environments
  

• Strong all-round kitchen experience, including pastry and hot section
  

• Passion for food creation and kitchen management, including administration, hygiene and people management
  

Package

• Salary: Negotiable, dependent on experience
  

• Live-in position
  

• Opportunity to grow within a luxury lodge environment
  

Candidates who meet the above requirements and are keen to apply are invited to submit their CV for consideration.