Cape Town: Sous Chef – Atlantic Seaboard posted by HotelJobs

A prestigious 5-star luxury hotel in Cape Town is seeking a creative and driven Sous Chef to join their culinary team. The ideal candidate must come from a luxury hospitality background and have a deep appreciation for South African cuisine and culinary storytelling.

Role Overview:

As Sous Chef, you will play a pivotal role in delivering consistently high culinary standards, whether in the main kitchen or within the private luxury villas on the property. You will be expected to lead the kitchen in the absence of the Executive and Executive Sous Chefs, maintain 5-star food presentation, and bring innovation and cultural depth to each dish.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee kitchen operations and service in the absence of senior chefs

• Maintain smooth communication between kitchen, villas, and front-of-house teams

• Ensure consistent food quality, presentation, and temperature across all dishes

• Collaborate with the F&B team to meet and exceed guest expectations

• Write and update daily menus and taste all food for quality control

• Engage with guests, offering recommendations and outstanding service

• Maintain high standards in both the main kitchen and luxury villas

• Ensure villas are fully stocked and guest-ready ahead of arrivals

• Personally welcome villa guests and be available throughout their stay without being intrusive

• Ensure villa kitchens operate at the same high standard as the main kitchen

• Create and present typed menus to villa guests, including cost discussions with the host

• Report maintenance issues, remove perishables post-departure, and complete operational equipment counts

• Maintain cleanliness and reduce wastage in villa kitchens

• Coordinate shift handovers and communicate guest preferences and requirements

Stock & Inventory Management:

• Ensure optimal stock levels, quality, and storage conditions

• Cultivate supplier relationships and manage daily ordering

• Monitor requisitions and conduct monthly stock takes

• Control breakages and wastage, particularly in perishable stock

• Collaborate with purchasing to align food requirements with delivery schedules

Requirements:

• Culinary qualification (preferred)

• Minimum 3 years experience in a similar role within a 5-star hotel

• Strong fine dining background

• Highly creative, organised, and service-driven

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Able to manage pressure in a fast-paced, luxury environment