Job Summary
Head Chef – Luxury Lodge – Hoedspruit Salary: R29,100 (Live-in) Kendrick Recruitment is recruiting for an experienced and dynamic Head Chef to join a prestigious luxury lodge in the Hoedspruit area. This is a senior kitchen leadership role suited to a hands-on professional with strong operational, administrative, and mentoring skills, capable of delivering exceptional culinary standards across multiple dining environments. Key Requirements Minimum of 4–5 years’ experience in a similar Head Chef role within a luxury lodge or high-end hospitality environment Proven experience managing à la carte service for up to 165 guests, including buffet service and outdoor functions Strong leadership and team management abilities Excellent organisational and administrative skills Creative approach to menu development and current food trends Calm; composed, and effective under pressure High level of attention to detail and refined presentation standards Ability to mentor, coach, and develop kitchen staff Valid driver’s licence Key Responsibilities Oversee the daily running of the kitchen in collaboration with the Executive Chef Maintain exceptional levels of cleanliness and hygiene within the kitchen Manage full kitchen inventory, stock control, and procurement in line with health and safety standards Oversee food preparation and ensure consistent quality and presentation Approve and conduct final checks on dishes before service to guests Supervise and discipline kitchen staff, including chefs and scullery team Manage dietary requirements and special guest requests Ensure all set-up requirements for dining services and functions are completed on time Manage the kitchen pass, including expediting hot, cold, and pastry sections Oversee à la carte, buffet, and outdoor catering operations Handle guest feedback and resolve any kitchen-related complaints professionally Manage rosters and staffing requirements Oversee scullery operations and kitchen cleaning programmes Ensure recipe consistency, product knowledge, and prep-list execution Conduct purchasing, invoice capturing, stock takes, and daily and month-end reporting Manage kitchen equipment maintenance and preventative repair programmes Candidates who meet the above requirements are encouraged to submit their CV to Kendrick Recruitment to apply for this role.