Job Description

Closing Date: 2025-10-22
Job Type: Permanent
Job Level: Senior
Experience: More than 10 Years
EE/AA: No
Summary
Senior Head Chef - Luxury Game Reserve - Eastern Cape South Africa
Our client, a prestigious luxury game reserve in the Eastern Cape, is seeking a Senior Head Chef to lead multiple kitchens across lodges and deliver innovative, world-class dining experiences. This is a permanent role with a rotational schedule and a salary package of R20,000 - R24,000 per month plus food allowance.
Description
The Senior Head Chef will provide strategic leadership across the reserve's culinary operations, setting and executing food philosophies that highlight seasonal, local produce.
This role requires someone with executive-level kitchen management experience, able to balance creativity with cost control and operational efficiency.
Responsibilities include developing menus, maintaining standards across properties, mentoring Head Chefs and Sous Chefs, managing budgets, and ensuring compliance with health and safety standards. The Senior Head Chef will oversee hiring, training, payroll, and rostering of the entire kitchen brigade while representing the culinary team in executive management meetings.
The ideal candidate will be an inspirational leader with strong business acumen, able to balance innovation with structure. A track record of excellence in fine dining, lodge, or hotel kitchens is essential.
Compensation:

• Salary: R20,000 - R24,000 + R780 food allowance
• Work cycle: 6 weeks on, 2 weeks off
• Accommodation and meals provided

Minimum Requirements

• 10+ years' experience in professional kitchens, with proven success in senior chef roles
• Strong leadership and mentoring skills
• Degree/diploma in Culinary Arts or equivalent
• Exceptional knowledge of kitchen management, costing, and modern food trends
• Experience with POS, Sage, and kitchen management systems
• Valid health & safety credentials

Benefits
Food allowance

Skills Required