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Head Chef - Italian Pasta & Cuisine

Somerset West
Salary: Market Related
Job Type: Permanent
Sectors: Hospitality
Reference: SW006036/CL

Apply before Feb 07 2026 | 27 Days left

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Vacancy Details

Employer: Helderberg Personnel cc

HEAD CHEF – ITALIAN CUISINE & PASTASomerset West: My client, a premium Italian-style restaurant focusing on fresh, high-quality Italian meals, is seeking a passionate, hands-on Pasta Chef to lead the kitchen with a focus on fresh, high-quality Italian meals. The role involves overseeing the preparation of pasta dishes, desserts and Italian specials, and managing the team to deliver exceptional culinary experiences.

Purpose of the role: To ensure consistent quality, presentation and adherence to health, safety and hygiene standards while mentoring the kitchen staff and maintaining operational excellence. The ideal candidate has a deep love for Italian cuisine, strong leadership skills, exceptional attention to detail, and thrives in a fast-paced, high-standard kitchen.

Key Responsibilities Include But Are Not Limited To:

Lead the kitchen operation with a strong focus on Italian cuisine, pasta dishes, desserts and traditional Italian meals
Demonstrate expert knowledge of pasta techniques, sauces, toppings and classic Italian preparations
Prepare, oversee and ensure consistent quality of pasta dishes, pizza toppings, desserts and other Italian menu items
Manage the kitchen team effectively through clear instruction, mentoring and delegation
Ensure strict adherence to health, safety and hygiene standards at all times
Control stock, rotate ingredients and manage inventory efficiently, ensuring all items are correctly labelled and stored
Develop, refine and maintain recipes and presentations in line with the restaurant’s standards
Work closely with management to plan menus, specials and seasonal offerings
Troubleshoot operational or culinary challenges and implement effective solutions
Lead by example with professional appearance, a strong work ethic and hands-on involvement in food preparation
Maintain cleaning schedules and ensure all tasks are completed to standard
Communicate professionally and consistently with all team members and management
Foster a positive, collaborative and high-performance kitchen culture

Criteria

Proven experience as a senior chef in Italian cuisine with responsibility for pasta dishes, desserts and Italian meals
Minimum 5–7 years’ hands-on experience in high-quality or fine-dining Italian kitchens
Demonstrated expertise in pasta preparation, sauces, toppings and classic Italian dessert techniques
Experience managing a kitchen team including mentoring, delegation, stock control and operational oversight
Strong knowledge of health, safety and hygiene standards in professional kitchens
Formal culinary training, diploma or degree in Culinary Arts or equivalent is preferred
Additional Italian cuisine or specialised pasta certifications are an advantage
Passionate about Italian cuisine with pride, dedication and attention to detail in all culinary work
Energetic, organised and methodical with excellent time management skills
Demonstrated leadership, mentoring and team-building abilities
Proactive problem-solving skills and ability to maintain kitchen efficiency under pressure
Excellent communication and professional presentation at all times
Ability to work effectively independently and collaboratively while maintaining high standards and consistency

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About Helderberg Personnel cc

Based in Somerset West, Helderberg Personnel was established in 1998. The company initially started doing placements in the Helderberg Basin and over the years expanded nationally. Our background has proved to be invaluable in providing a high standard of recruitment, screening, evaluation and placement of candidates.

Our Value proposition:
The true value proposition of the Helderberg Personnel brand is our commitment to attending to our clients’ needs, culture and values and to ensure that, through comprehensive interviews with candidates, the overall match is determined to ensure a long term relationship. The identity of the client remains confidential at all times. We understand that our function is to ensure that the candidate must become a strategic partner to a business instead of a mere employee. Helderberg Personnel has achieved a steady growth over the last years and we have evolved into one of the leading agencies in the region. We have made placements cross functional, cross industry and up to senior management level.