Sous Chef – Luxury Winery – Hermanus

Kendrick Recruitment is seeking a skilled and passionate Sous Chef to join a high-end luxury winery in Hermanus. This live-out role is ideal for a culinary professional who thrives in a fine-dining, team-focused environment and is committed to delivering exceptional seasonal cuisine paired with exquisite wines.

Key Responsibilities

Kitchen Operations & Leadership

• Support the Executive Chef in daily kitchen operations
  
• Collaborate with fellow Sous Chefs to ensure smooth service across all sections
  
• Take responsibility for kitchen operations in the absence of the Executive Chef
  
• Supervise and coordinate all kitchen sections during service
  
• Ensure efficient and high-quality service in a fast-paced fine-dining environment
  

Food Quality & Consistency

• Maintain exceptional standards of food quality, presentation, and consistency
  
• Execute dishes in line with the winery’s culinary philosophy
  
• Monitor plating, portioning, and final presentation before service
  
• Focus on seasonal, terroir-driven cuisine and innovative menu offerings
  

Menu Development & Innovation

• Contribute to menu creation and refinement
  
• Work closely with the Executive Chef on food and wine pairing concepts
  
• Support culinary innovation aligned with the property’s high standards
  

Team Development & Training

• Train, mentor, and support junior chefs and kitchen staff
  
• Lead by example in professionalism, discipline, and teamwork
  
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement
  

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure strict adherence to hygiene, safety, and food standards
  
• Maintain compliance with food safety regulations and internal SOPs
  
• Monitor cleanliness and organisation across all kitchen areas
  

Stock & Quality Control

• Assist with stock management, ordering, and cost control
  
• Monitor waste and implement efficiency improvements
  
• Ensure correct storage, rotation, and handling of ingredients
  

Guest Experience & Collaboration

• Work closely with FOH to deliver a seamless guest experience
  
• Engage with guests when required, representing the winery professionally
  
• Support service flow to align kitchen output with guest expectations
  

Culture & Team Environment

• Promote a positive, respectful, and high-performance kitchen culture
  
• Encourage collaboration across departments
  
• Contribute to a supportive and motivated team environment
  

Key Competencies & Skills

• Strong leadership and team collaboration skills
  
• Excellent organisational and time-management ability
  
• High attention to detail and consistency
  
• Ability to perform under pressure in a fast-paced environment
  
• Strong communication skills with kitchen and FOH teams
  
• Passion for food, wine, and hospitality
  

Experience & Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Sous Chef or Senior Chef de Partie in a fine-dining or high-end hospitality environment
  
• Knowledge of food and wine pairing (advantageous)
  
• Formal culinary qualification preferred
  
• Strong understanding of modern culinary techniques and trends
  
• Sound understanding of kitchen financials and stock control