Experienced Sous Chef with Fine Dining Experience

Sous Chef

Location: Wynberg, Cape Town, Western Cape
Employment Type: Full-time

We are seeking an experienced and highly competent Sous Chef to join our professional kitchen team.

This is a hands-on leadership position for a chef with proven experience in a high-end / 5-star restaurant environment who can confidently lead a kitchen brigade, manage service and maintain consistently high culinary standards.

Minimum Requirements

• Recognised Culinary Qualification.
• Minimum 5 years' professional restaurant kitchen experience.
• Proven experience working as a Sous Chef.
• 5-star hotel restaurant, 5-star restaurant, fine-dining or equivalent high-end restaurant experience is essential.
• Demonstrable ability to lead and manage a professional kitchen brigade.
• Proven ability to take responsibility for a kitchen and manage service.
• Strong technical culinary skills and knowledge.
• Excellent mise en place, preparation and service skills.
• Strong understanding of food cost, stock control, portion control and waste management.
• Good knowledge of food safety and hygiene standards.
• Strong leadership, communication and organisational skills.
• Ability to work calmly and effectively under pressure.
• Professional attitude, reliability and strong work ethic.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist the Executive Chef with the daily running of the kitchen.
• Lead, supervise and develop the kitchen brigade.
• Take charge of the kitchen in the Executive Chef's absence.
• Manage preparation, mise en place and service.
• Maintain high standards of food quality, consistency and presentation.
• Ensure recipes, specifications and plating standards are followed.
• Allocate duties and manage kitchen workflow.
• Monitor staff performance, discipline and kitchen standards.
• Train and develop junior chefs and kitchen staff.
• Assist with menu development and daily specials.
• Assist with stock control, ordering and stock takes.
• Monitor food cost, portion control and waste.
• Ensure food safety, hygiene and cleanliness standards are maintained.
• Work closely with Front of House to ensure smooth service.
• Maintain professional kitchen discipline and operational standards.

Important – Please Read Before Applying

DO NOT APPLY IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THE REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE.

We are looking for a proven Sous Chef, not a candidate looking to gain their first experience in the role.

Please do not apply if:

• Your experience is primarily or exclusively in catering, contract catering or mass-production kitchens.
• You have not previously worked as a Sous Chef.
• You have only worked at CDP level without proven kitchen leadership experience.
• You do not have 5-star or equivalent high-end restaurant experience.
• You cannot independently lead a kitchen brigade and manage service.
• You do not have strong technical culinary skills.
• You require extensive training in the fundamentals of a Sous Chef role.
• You do not have experience with kitchen operations, stock control and food cost awareness.

Please note: A culinary qualification or Sous Chef job title alone does not qualify you for this position. We are looking for demonstrable competency, relevant experience and proven leadership ability.

Your CV must clearly show your culinary qualification, professional restaurant experience, previous Sous Chef positions and 5-star/high-end restaurant experience.

Only candidates meeting the minimum requirements will be considered.

Pay: R18 000,00 - R25 000,00 per month

Education:

• Diploma (Preferred)

Experience:

• Management: 5 years (Required)

Work Location: In person