Executive Chef

We have a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Executive Chef to join us and become part of the pre-opening team at a bold new safari lodge in Botswana’s unspoilt wilderness, opening in June 2020 in the heart of the Okavango Delta.The lodge will consist of just 12 suites, showcasing the finest Southern African artisans. Innovatively designed to protect the pristine environment, the lodge will be utterly in tune with its surroundings. It will be 100% solar powered, with a dedicated focus on sustainability and eliminating single-use plastics, whilst every spacious suite will be fully air conditioned, making it the first of its kind.The lodge will offer an extraordinary safari experience, from the chance of a life-changing sleep-out beneath the velvet night sky, to land and water excursions among lions, cheetahs, leopards, giraffes, crocodiles and incredible birdlife.

BASIC SALARY OF 30K NEG

Benefits:

• Medical Aid
• Provident Fund
• Free Accommodation
• Discounted accommodation rates with Group
• Employee Recognition Events
• Free meals on duty
• Complimentary laundry of business attire

Key responsibilities of the Executive Chef will include:

• Recruiting, inducting, training and building an entire new kitchen team
• Developing exciting menus for the Lodge in line with company standards
• To identify local suppliers and build new partnerships in the community
• To receive stock, checking thoroughly for quality and also quantity against invoices and purchase requests, and to return and follow up any substandard items
• To supervise, direct and participate where necessary in the preparation and cooking of all dishes required in the Lodge
• To conduct training with all Kitchen team members at pre-determined Training Sessions on a day to day basis on hygiene, Health and Safety and CoSHH
• Also, ensure Training Skills are required to standard using Individual Training Records.
• To produce the budgeted Food Costs of Sales, advising Management of any potential challenges in achieving the target
• To ensure that the Kitchen Head Count and Labour Costs are kept within the budgetary levels set and to adjust accordingly in line with Business Levels

Skills and Requirements

The ideal candidate for the Executive Chef position should have:

• Excellent leadership and communication skills
• Sound awareness of menu planning and development
• Previous experience successfully launching a new lodge
• The skills required to lead and motive the team from the front
• A track record of training and developing individuals to achieve their best
• An understanding of how to keep costs in line and wastage kept to a minimum
• Previous experience working in a remote location and be comfortable working 7 days a week for up to 2 months at a time
• An understanding of remote communal living as all members of the team live on-site

Minimum Requirements:

·Able to demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication in English

·Proficiency with computers and computer programs, including Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook

·3 Year Hospitality Management or equivalent Culinary university degree

· Minimum of 2 years’ experience in the role of Exec Chef (preferably) in an international five-star hotel