Head Chef; 5* Game Lodge - Madikwe

Job Summary

Private Game Lodge; a luxury safari destination in the Madikwe Game Reserve is looking for a Head Chef. The Head Chef is responsible for the effective management and leadership of all kitchen operations; ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality cuisine; compliance with food safety legislation and the creation of a professional, respectful, and well‑managed kitchen environment. Duties: overall management of the lodge kitchens, menu planning and development, including accommodation of dietary requirements and allergies, preparation and presentation of high‑quality guest and staff meals, training, supervision, performance management, and discipline of kitchen staff in line with company policies, creating a respectful, productive, and positive working environment, solving problems in a kind, productive, and uplifting manner, ensuring compliance with all food safety, hygiene, health and safety legislation and audit requirements, maintaining cleanliness and organisation of all kitchens, storage, and scullery areas, managing stock control, ordering, stock takes, and minimising food wastage, managing kitchen budgets and controlling food costs, ensuring all kitchen equipment is maintained in good working order, preparing duty rosters and managing staffing requirements, liaising effectively with Front of House to ensure seamless service delivery, engaging with guests to ensure satisfaction and address feedback professionally.

Requirements: relevant professional culinary qualification, proven experience as a Head Chef in a high‑end lodge, hotel, or restaurant environment, strong leadership, organisational, and people management skills, sound knowledge of South African food safety, hygiene, and labour legislation, experience with kitchen administration, stock control, and budgeting, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, ability to work under pressure in a fast‑paced hospitality environment, commitment to professional conduct, teamwork, and company values.