A prestigious 5-star luxury safari lodge is seeking an exceptional Executive Chef to lead and elevate its culinary offering across the entire guest experience. This senior leadership position is suited to a highly skilled, refined, and creative chef with a passion for luxury hospitality, world-class cuisine, and impeccable presentation.
The successful candidate will be responsible for driving culinary excellence while managing all operational aspects of a high-performing safari lodge kitchen.
The ideal candidate will have a strong fine-dining background, formal culinary qualifications, and proven experience within luxury lodges, boutique hotels, or acclaimed restaurants. Preference will be given to chefs trained through the Institute of Culinary Arts (ICA) or the Prue Leith Culinary Institute, as well as those with previous 5 star lodge experience.
Key Responsibilities
Culinary Leadership & Guest Experience
• Lead the overall culinary vision and daily kitchen operations.
• Design and execute sophisticated, seasonal, and innovative menus aligned with a luxury guest experience.
• Deliver exceptional breakfast, lunch, and dinner service, including tasting menus, bush dinners, private dining experiences, and bespoke guest requests.
• Create menus that cater to diverse dietary requirements, including vegetarian, vegan, allergy-sensitive, and specialised dietary needs.
• Maintain exceptional standards of food preparation, presentation, flavour, consistency, and creativity across all services.
• Continuously enhance the culinary offering to exceed guest expectations and support the lodge's luxury positioning. Kitchen Operations & Team Management
• Lead, mentor, and develop the kitchen brigade, fostering a culture of professionalism, teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure smooth daily kitchen operations while maintaining high standards under pressure.
• Conduct staff training and performance management to support individual and team growth.
• Promote a positive and collaborative kitchen environment. Financial & Stock Control
• Oversee all procurement, ordering, supplier management, and inventory control processes.
• Conduct regular stock takes and maintain accurate stock records.
• Monitor food costs, wastage, and kitchen profitability while maintaining premium quality standards.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to ensure product quality and value. Hygiene, Compliance & Sustainability
• Ensure strict compliance with food safety, hygiene, and health regulations.
• Maintain exemplary cleanliness and organisation throughout all kitchen areas.
• Implement sustainable kitchen practices, including waste reduction and responsible sourcing.
• Prioritise the use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients wherever possible.
• Manage specialised operational requirements, including kosher food preparation protocols when required. Collaboration & Service Excellence
• Work closely with lodge management to ensure the culinary experience complements the overall guest journey.
• Contribute to creating memorable and personalised guest experiences.
• Respond professionally and efficiently to guest feedback and special requests.
Requirements
• Formal culinary qualification from a recognised institution.
• Previous experience as an Executive Chef or Senior Sous Chef within a luxury lodge, boutique hotel, or fine-dining environment.
• Strong understanding of luxury hospitality standards and guest expectations.
• Proven leadership and team management experience.
• Excellent menu development, costing, and financial management skills.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, hygiene, and kitchen compliance standards.
• Ability to thrive in a remote lodge environment and maintain exceptional standards under pressure.
Personal Attributes The successful candidate will be:
• Highly polished, creative, and disciplined.
• Passionate about exceptional produce, flavour, and presentation.
• Guest-focused with a commitment to delivering memorable dining experiences.
• Calm, adaptable, and solutions-driven under pressure.
• A confident leader who inspires and develops their team.
• Equally strong in culinary artistry and operational management.
• Dedicated to consistency, refinement, and excellence in every aspect of service.
Should you be interested in the above positions, please email your resume and food portfolio to zhane@evolutionrec.co.za