Durban: Junior Sous Chef posted by Kendrick Recruitment

Kendrick Recruitment is currently seeking a skilled Junior Sous Chef for a luxury lodge based in KwaZulu-Natal.

This live-in role is suited to a passionate, driven chef with strong leadership ability, excellent organisational skills and a commitment to world-class hospitality standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensuring the highest health, safety and hygiene standards are maintained at all times

• Ensuring correct usage of cleaning chemicals and adequate availability of cleaning materials

• Adhering to approved menus and food styling guidelines

• Working closely with the training chef during lodge visits and being open to feedback

• Supporting the Executive Chef with the implementation of internal chef training programmes

• Remaining up to date with current food trends and guest expectations

• Maintaining quality and quantity control of all food leaving the kitchen, including snacks for activities

• Managing bush banqueting, drink stops and picnics with the use of checklists

• Proactive maintenance of all food preparation areas

• Implementing effective stock control and stock rotation procedures

• Maintaining strong interaction with guests and fellow chefs, encouraging feedback and idea sharing

• Leading by example through fair discipline, professionalism and positive teamwork

• Being approachable, flexible and able to work independently

• Managing special dietary requirements and ensuring guest needs are discussed prior to service

• Ensuring emergency food supplies are maintained

• Reporting operational issues to management

• Managing food costs and maintaining budget awareness

• Daily leftover management and minimising waste

• Assisting with food orders

• Ensuring fridges, freezers and storerooms are clean, secure and key control is practised

• Overseeing and leading the pastry section

Skills Required

• Strong communication skills with guests and team members

• Work standards exceeding luxury lodge expectations

• Excellent organisational and time-management skills

• Ability to think laterally and problem-solve

• Ability to handle pressure professionally

• Sound HACCP knowledge

• Knowledge of kitchen management systems advantageous

• Commitment to world-class hospitality and service standards

• Honest, driven and career-focused individual

• Strong mentoring and staff training abilities

• Excellent pastry skills with experience in producing high-quality desserts

Knowledge Required

• Hospitality operations

• Environmental awareness

• Understanding of surrounding communities

• Knowledge of South Africa and lodge operations

• Valid, unendorsed South African drivers licence essential

Experience Required

• Minimum of three years relevant experience in a similar role

• Previous experience within luxury lodge or high-end hospitality environments

• Strong all-round kitchen experience, including pastry and hot section

• Passion for food creation and kitchen management, including administration, hygiene and people management

Package

• Salary: Negotiable, dependent on experience

• Live-in position

• Opportunity to grow within a luxury lodge environment

Candidates who meet the above requirements and are keen to apply are invited to submit their CV for consideration.