Pastry Head Chef

Pastry Head Chef | Luxury Lodge | Botswana

Salary: Negotiable DOE

Kendrick Recruitment is seeking an experienced and passionate Pastry Head Chef to lead the pastry operations at a luxury lodge in Botswana. This senior culinary role is responsible for managing the kitchen, ensuring exceptional food quality, training and supervising staff, and delivering a premium guest experience in line with the lodge’s high standards.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage the pastry kitchen, ensuring all food meets the lodge’s quality and hygiene standards
  

• Design and implement menus, following the lodge’s culinary concept and introducing new pastry creations
  

• Prepare a wide range of pastry items including breads, croissants, Danish pastries, cakes, ice-creams, sorbets, biscuits, and desserts
  

• Supervise and mentor kitchen staff, supporting training, development, and succession planning
  

• Ensure efficient kitchen operations, including stock management, portion control, and minimising waste
  

• Oversee equipment care and maintenance, ensuring proper use and reducing breakage
  

• Administer orders and procurement to avoid shortages and wastage
  

• Conduct effective handovers between shifts to maintain operational continuity
  

• Interact with guests where appropriate, contributing to a memorable culinary experience
  

• Implement and maintain health, safety, and hygiene procedures in line with luxury hospitality standards
  

• Support sustainability initiatives and environmental responsibility within the kitchen
  

• Identify and mitigate potential risks in the kitchen to ensure safety and compliance
  

• Collaborate with other departments to ensure guest needs are met and operations run smoothly
  

• Perform additional tasks as reasonably requested to support the operation and overall lodge objectives
  

Skills & Experience:

• Minimum 3-year Chef qualification or at least 4 years’ experience in a similar role
  

• Strong understanding of food costs, kitchen budgets, and operational planning
  

• Excellent pastry skills and broad culinary knowledge
  

• Ability to train, manage, and motivate a kitchen team
  

• Understanding of labour law, disciplinary procedures, and staff management
  

• Knowledge of hygiene protocols, kitchen equipment, and safety procedures
  

• Good computer literacy and administration skills
  

• Strong communication skills and ability to work well with others
  

• Physical stamina and time management skills
  

• Passion for hospitality and commitment to personal and professional growth
  

The ideal candidate is a proactive, detail-oriented culinary professional with strong leadership skills, a passion for pastry, and the ability to deliver consistently exceptional guest experiences.

Interested candidates are invited to submit their CV to apply for this opportunity.