17 Culinary jobs in South Africa

Overview

Are you passionate about shaping the future of culinary education? The International Hotel School, Benoni Campus, is seeking a dynamic and dedicated Head of Department: Culinary Arts to manage the quality of provision, support and compliance within the Culinary Arts and Patisserie department.

• Patient and mentoring abilities – able to guide both students and staff with empathy and clarity.
• Problem solver – proactive in identifying challenges and implementing effective solutions.
• Service orientation – committed to delivering exceptional support to students and colleagues.
• Passion for student success – driven by a genuine desire to see students thrive academically and professionally.

• Minimum of a NQF 6 qualification in the hospitality area of specialization
• Scoped as a registered assessor for one of the institutional programme offerings
• 2 years team management experience
• Minimum 2 years lecturing experience
• Minimum 5 years Culinary Arts experience as a chef
• Knowledge of academic compliance within the vocational educational sector

• Proficient in computer software, apps, social media, and technology in general
• Stock control and inventory system proficiency
• Vocational, POE and practical assessment implementation and management skills

• Manage the CA department provision and success
• Responsible for reporting on stock and inventory control
• Conduct lectures and practical kitchen sessions
• Resolve student/sponsor queries, tracking, counselling and support
• Contribute towards curriculum improvement and development
• Apply assessment principles in line with the assessor code of conduct
• Invite industry guest speakers and arrange excursions
• Involvement in professional development activities for self and staff
• Research into industry trends
• Conduct induction and workplace foundation training

Are you passionate about shaping the future of culinary education? The International Hotel School, Benoni Campus, is seeking a dynamic and dedicated
Head of Department: Culinary Arts
to manage the quality of provision, support and compliance within the Culinary Arts and Patisserie department.

Ideal Candidate Qualities

• Patient and mentoring abilities – able to guide both students and staff with empathy and clarity.
• Problem solver – proactive in identifying challenges and implementing effective solutions.
• Service orientation – committed to delivering exceptional support to students and colleagues.
• Passion for student success – driven by a genuine desire to see students thrive academically and professionally.

Requirements
Essential Qualifications & Experience:

• Minimum of a NQF 6 qualification in the hospitality area of specialization
• Scoped as a registered assessor for one of the institutional programme offerings
• 2 years team management experience
• Minimum 2 years lecturing experience
• Minimum 5 years Culinary Arts experience as a chef
• Knowledge of academic compliance within the vocational educational sector

Essential Skills

• Proficient in computer software, apps, social media, and technology in general
• Stock control and inventory system proficiency
• Vocational, POE and practical assessment implementation and management skills

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the CA department provision and success
• Responsible for reporting on stock and inventory control
• Conduct lectures and practical kitchen sessions
• Resolve student/sponsor queries, tracking, counselling and support
• Contribute towards curriculum improvement and development
• Apply assessment principles in line with the assessor code of conduct
• Invite industry guest speakers and arrange excursions
• Involvement in professional development activities for self and staff
• Research into industry trends
• Conduct induction and workplace foundation training

Job category: Other; Hospitality, Hotel, Catering, Tourism and Travel

Location: Cape Town

Contract: Permanent

Remuneration: Market Related

EE position: No

This role involves running and owning the preparation and presentation of focused and innovative products and ranges, including BIIC, Food services, Projects, catering, external Events, and Workshops.

Responsibilities include:

1. Managing all catering functions, meeting briefs and budgets.
2. Managing external hiring of props, equipment, supplies, and products for functions.
3. Providing world-class culinary inspiration through demos, workshops, and presentations.
4. Showcasing and educating the food group on new ingredients and their practical applications.
5. Managing and updating the green kitchen (Sustainable kitchen model).
6. Exploring new cooking technologies and trends, working closely with the trends and projects team.
7. Training and developing hospitality staff for food service menus and recipes.
8. Managing projects, BIIC, re-setting standards, and workshops.
9. Managing students and junior innovation chefs.
10. Setting quality standards within the food group and supply base.
11. Assisting the R & D Manager with product strategy and presentations.
12. Maintaining kitchen and equipment upkeep.
13. Accepting briefs from departments on product preparation and presentation.
14. Complying with the Good Food Journey and sustainable product development.
15. Implementing packaging recycling and compostable initiatives to meet targets.
16. Increasing local procurement.

Qualifications and experience required:

• Relevant diploma or degree with a focus on food service/hospitality.
• Minimum 3-5 years’ experience in food service/hospitality industry.
• Chef experience is essential.
• Coaching and facilitation skills.
• Experience working in a team.
• Deep understanding of the food service/hospitality industry, both locally and internationally.
• Sensory evaluation skills and taste discernment.
• Creativity and innovation in food development.
• Product development skills with commercial aptitude.
• Understanding of business processes and legislation (e.g., BEE, GBJ, strategy development).
• Thorough understanding of technically led product innovation.
• Passion for food and awareness of current food trends.

The Unilever YES Programme

Location:
Unilever Head Office, La Lucia Ridge, Durban

About Unilever
With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products every day, Unilever is a business that makes a real impact on the world. Work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We are driven by our purpose: to make sustainable living commonplace, and it is our belief that doing business the right way drives superior performance. At the heart of what we do is our people – we believe that when our people work with purpose, we will create a better business and a better world.

At Unilever, your career will be a unique journey, grounded in our inclusive, collaborative, and flexible working environment. We don't believe in the 'one size fits all' approach and instead we will equip you with the tools you need to shape your own future.

The Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme is a national collaborative initiative aimed at empowering South African youth by providing them with valuable work experience. The YES Programme at Unilever is more than just work experience — it's a launchpad for future careers. As part of this initiative, you'll be immersed in a 12-month journey designed to ignite your potential, equip you with practical skills, and expose you to real-world business challenges. Whether you're supporting teams in our offices or on the factory floor, you'll gain meaningful, hands-on experience in a fast-paced environment where learning, growth, and purpose come together. This is your chance to be part of a company that's reimagining the future of work — and investing in yours

Job Purpose

• The Unilever YES Programme is meant to provide participants with a meaningful work experience, skills development opportunities, and exposure to a professional environment as stepping stone into the world of work.

What Will Your Main Responsibilities Be

• Cullinary: Help prepare product samples for customer demos and logistics of demo events, trade shows, customer meetings. You will get to support chefs with content creation for webinars and "how to" videos

Minimum Requirements

• South African citizen, aged 18 – 34 years
• Currently unemployed and not studying full-time
• Completed Matric certificate (Grade 12)
• Relevant tertiary qualification in Culinary/Cookery (Higher Certificate/Diploma/Degree)
• Should not have more than 2 years' work experience
• Commitment to the 12-month programme
• Must not have completed a YES Programme previously
• Willingness to learn and grow in a professional environment
• A strong academic record
• Strong computer literacy
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Good time management
• Ability to work in a collaborative team environment
• A positive attitude

Unilever Behaviors
Assess whether the candidates' responses and examples resonate with Unilever's expected behaviours.

Care Deeply:
We care deeply about how consumers experience our brands every day, everywhere; about our people's growth and development, and our impact on the planet. We care about our performance, to a point where it hurts when we don't win.

Focus on What Counts:
We ruthlessly prioritise what truly matters, and so do fewer things brilliantly. We set clear goals & direction and recognise others for maximum impact.

Stay Three Steps Ahead
: We think boldly and creatively to make breakthroughs in performance. We are always curious and confident - anticipating and staying ahead of consumer needs and external trends, to beat the competition.

Deliver with Excellence:
We deliver excellence in what we do at pace. We take personal ownership and hold each other to account – always finding a way to do what we said we will do.

Please kindly attach the following documents as part of the selection:

• updated CV
• copy of highest qualification (eg. Grade 12, Culinary/Cookery (Higher Certificate/Diploma/Degree)

(We value equity, diversity and inclusion. This initiative forms part of our transformation objectives and our commitment to Employment Equity, consideration will therefore be given to suitably qualified individuals from designated groups in line with the Employment Equity Act)
Unilever is an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their 'Whole Self' to work and this includes you Thus if you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.

Join to apply for the CAREER CONSULTANT - CULINARY (NELSPRUIT) role at ExecutivePlacements.com - The JOB Portal

Posted: Friday, July 4, 2025

Location: Nelspruit, South Africa

We are seeking a driven and student-focused Career Consultant to guide prospective students through course selection and enrolment. This role balances advisory responsibilities with sales performance, ensuring learners are matched with the right training programmes aligned with their goals and financial capacity.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Minimum of Matric (NQF 4); tertiary qualification in Sales, Marketing, or Business is advantageous.
• 2–3 years of experience in sales, student recruitment, or customer service (preferably in education or training).
• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding sales targets.
• Valid driver’s license and own reliable transport.
• Willingness to travel and work after hours during peak periods or events.

By submitting any Personal Information to MPRTC, you acknowledge consent to the processing and storage of such data. Background screening, including criminal, fraud, ITC, and employment reference checks, may be conducted. If you are not contacted within 14 days, please consider your application unsuccessful. You may opt-out of electronic communications or request deletion of your personal information at any time.

• Seniority level: Entry level

• Employment type: Full-time

• Job function: Other

• Industries: Advertising Services

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