About Us:
We pride ourselves on creating a warm, home-like environment, where nutrition and the joy of dining play a vital role in our residents' daily well-being. We are currently seeking an empathetic, financially disciplined, and highly authoritative Head Chef to lead our kitchen team.
Purpose of the Role:
You will manage the daily preparation, cooking, and presentation of high-quality, nutritious meals tailored to the medical needs of senior residents. Operating within an open, family-style kitchen setting, this role demands immense creativity, meticulous attention to detail, and an assertive leadership style capable of driving high performance from the kitchen team alongside strict budget adherence.
Key Responsibilities:
- Strong Leadership and Team Management: Lead, motivate, and direct a diverse team of kitchen assistants, cooks, and cleaning staff. Foster accountability, handle conflict resolution, and ensure high morale.
- Menu Costing and Budgeting: Design, cost, and price rotating menus accurately to ensure strict alignment with the facility's food budget and financial targets.
- Creative Menu Development: Infuse creativity into standard geriatric menus, making meals visually appealing and flavourful while adhering to strict dietary guidelines.
- Performance and Training: Performance-manage kitchen staff, delegate tasks efficiently, and conduct regular on-the-job training regarding presentation, hygiene, and portion control.
- Specialized Dietary Care: Prepare specialized meals, including low-sodium, diabetic-friendly, and texture-modified dishes (puréed, soft, and liquid diets for dysphagia).
- Stock and Cost Control: Manage inventory, place precise orders with local suppliers, monitor yield per ingredient, and drastically minimize food wastage.
- Hygiene and Compliance: Maintain strict compliance with HACCP standards and local health and safety regulations.
Requirements and Qualifications:
- Language Skills: Fully bilingual. Must be fluent in both English and Afrikaans (verbal and written) to communicate effectively with residents and staff.
- Leadership Skills: Proven track record of managing, disciplining, and developing a kitchen team in a fast-paced environment.
- Financial Skills: Strong proficiency in food costing, yield calculation, and spreadsheet/software budget tracking.
- Education: Formal Culinary Arts Diploma or Professional Cookery Qualification.
- Experience: Minimum of 2–3 years of experience as a Chef in an aged-care facility, hospital, or high-volume commercial kitchen.
- Certifications: Valid Food Handler’s Certificate (HACCP training is highly advantageous).
- Attributes: Meticulous attention to detail, strong culinary creativity, a decisive leadership style, exceptional patience, empathy, and a passion for serving the elderly community in a family-style kitchen environment.
- Logistics: Reliable transport to and from Centurion
Pay: R12 000,00 - R20 000,00 per month
Application Question(s):
- Must have credible references
Education:
Experience:
- kitchen management: 3 years (Required)
Language:
- Afrikaans and English (Required)
- Afrikaans and English (Required)
License/Certification:
- Drivers licence (Required)
Work Location: In person
