Job Summary
Head Chefs | Restaurants | Johannesburg An established and growing restaurant group is seeking an experienced and passionate HEAD CHEFS to join its operations in Johannesburg. With a portfolio of successful restaurants specialising in Steakhouse, Greek and Italian cuisine, the group is entering an exciting period of expansion with several new outlets planned. This is an excellent opportunity for a strong culinary leaders who enjoys working in a fast-paced restaurant environment and wants to play an important role in the development and growth of a multi-outlet hospitality operation. As the group continues to expand, the Head Chef will also be involved in supporting new restaurant openings, developing kitchen teams and implementing operational standards across the business. Head Chefs - Key Responsibilities Take overall responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the kitchen Lead; manage, motivate and develop the kitchen brigade Ensure consistently high standards of food preparation, presentation and taste Maintain recipe consistency, portion control and presentation standards Oversee food preparation and kitchen performance during busy services Monitor and maintain food quality across all sections of the kitchen Ensure efficient kitchen organisation and workflow Manage food costs, wastage and portion control Monitor stock levels and assist with ordering and inventory management Ensure correct storage, rotation and handling of food products Maintain excellent kitchen hygiene, cleanliness and food safety standards Ensure kitchen equipment is correctly used and maintained Assist with menu development, seasonal dishes and new food concepts Work with management to maintain commercially viable menus Support the introduction and implementation of new menu items Train kitchen employees on recipes, preparation methods and presentation standards Conduct regular performance monitoring and coaching of kitchen employees Assist with recruitment, onboarding and training of new kitchen team members Prepare staff rosters according to operational requirements Maintain effective labour management while ensuring adequate staffing for service Work closely with restaurant management and front-of-house teams Ensure professional communication between kitchen and service teams Maintain strong supplier relationships and monitor product quality Assist with the opening and implementation of new restaurant outlets Help establish consistent kitchen systems and standards across expanding operations Identify opportunities to improve kitchen efficiency, quality and profitability Head Chefs - Skills and Experience Required Proven experience as a Head Chefs, Executive Sous Chefs or similar senior kitchen leader Strong restaurant kitchen experience Experience working within high-volume operations Excellent knowledge of kitchen operations and food preparation Strong understanding of meat preparation and steakhouse cooking techniques Knowledge of Mediterranean, Greek and/or Italian cuisine would be advantageous Good understanding of food costing and gross profit management Strong stock control and wastage management skills Ability to manage labour effectively Excellent leadership and team-development abilities Strong organisational and time-management skills Ability to remain calm and organised during busy restaurant services High attention to detail and consistency Good communication skills Strong understanding of food hygiene and kitchen safety practices Ability to train and mentor junior chefs A hands-on management style and willingness to lead from the kitchen What the Role Offers Salary: between R 25000 – 40000 CTC, all depending on the experience and the outlet the Head Chefs will be appointed to. How to Apply To apply for Head Chefs | Restaurants | Johannesburg, please send your updated CV with a food portfolio. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. About Recruit for Africa Recruit for Africa is a South Africa–based recruitment agency specialising in hospitality, retail, chefs, and lodge placements across Africa and international markets. Our expert recruiters guide candidates from application through onboarding, ensuring a smooth and professional hiring experience. Visit our website for more hospitality career opportunities. Disclaimer Personal information received from applicants will be processed only for recruitment purposes, as outlined in our privacy policy on the Recruit for Africa website. By applying for this job, you accept that we can process your personal information as specified and you agree to our privacy policy. Recruit for Africa (Pty) Ltd has safeguards in place to ensure the confidentiality of this personal information. Recruit for Africa will only send emails from the @Apply Below domain and will never request recruitment, visa, or travel fees. Join us on LinkedIn or Facebook