Executive Sous Chef

SUMMARY:
Hospitality Hire is recruiting for an experienced Executive Sous Chef to join a large, luxury hotel operation in Cape Town.
This is an exciting opportunity for a highly skilled operational chef who is passionate about culinary excellence and experienced in managing large, busy kitchen brigades across multiple outlets.
The successful candidate will play a key leadership role within the culinary team, supporting the Executive Chef in delivering exceptional dining experiences across restaurants, banqueting, conferencing, room service and events.
The ideal candidate will have strong luxury hotel experience, exceptional organisational ability and the leadership presence required to operate confidently within a high-volume hospitality environment.

POSITION INFO:
Minimum Requirements
- Formal Culinary qualification from a recognised institution
- Minimum 5 years’ experience within luxury hotels or high-end hospitality environments
- At least 3 years’ experience in a senior Sous Chef or Executive Sous Chef role
- Proven experience managing large kitchen brigades within busy multi-outlet operations
- Strong understanding of hot kitchen, banqueting, buffet and à la carte operations
- Excellent leadership, communication and people management skills
- Strong understanding of food cost, stock control and kitchen financial management
- Sound knowledge of hygiene, HACCP and food safety standards
- Ability to work effectively under pressure within a demanding operational environment
- South African ID or valid work permit

Key Responsibilities
- Support the Executive Chef in overseeing all kitchen operations across the property
- Lead, mentor and develop the culinary brigade to maintain exceptional standards
- Ensure consistency, quality and presentation across all food offerings
- Oversee daily production, preparation and service across all outlets
- Assist with menu development, recipe standardisation and seasonal offerings
- Monitor food quality, portion control and kitchen operational efficiency
- Manage staffing, scheduling and kitchen productivity
- Ensure strict compliance with hygiene, sanitation and food safety standards
- Oversee stock control, ordering, food costing and wastage management
- Support banqueting and conferencing operations to ensure seamless execution
- Conduct regular training and coaching sessions within the culinary team
- Work closely with Food & Beverage and front-of-house teams to enhance the guest experience
- Maintain high standards of cleanliness, organisation and kitchen discipline at all times

Key Skills
- Strong operational and culinary leadership
- Excellent people management and team development ability
- Strong organisational and kitchen coordination skills
- High attention to detail and consistency
- Ability to perform calmly and decisively under pressure
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills
- Strong understanding of luxury hospitality standards
- Passion for culinary excellence and guest satisfaction

Why Apply
Join a dynamic luxury hospitality environment where culinary excellence, innovation and teamwork are at the heart of the guest experience.
This opportunity offers the chance to work within a large, high-performing operation while contributing to the ongoing growth of one of Cape Town’s leading hospitality teams.