Job Description

The Head Cook oversee the daily process of running a kitchen and managing food preparation at restaurants. They direct kitchen staff and handle all food-related issues, including checking up on food supplies, planning menus, and creating new recipes. Head cooks ensure that there is strict adherence to hygiene protocols.

Duties and Responsibilities

-Taking responsibility for the health and safety of the food team.
-Planning and preparing food menus and ensuring that the menu is fresh and well presented.
-Keeping abreast of culinary trends and incorporating these into the menu.
-Developing recipes and determining how best to present dishes.
-Ordering food and supplies, such as kitchen equipment, and keeping an updated inventory.
- Checking that the correct equipment has been delivered at the quoted prices.
-Checking regularly that the equipment and work areas are kept spotless.
-Keeping abreast of and complying with the latest health and safety laws and regulations.

Qualifications and Experience

1. The candidate must have a relevant Degree/ Diploma/ Professional Certificate.
2. At least 4 years experience as a Cook.
3. Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills
4. Knowledge of culinary trends.
5. A proven ability to create unique and delicious dishes.
6. The ability to multitask and cope in a high-pressure environment.

How to Apply

Interested candidate are encouraged to send their C.Vs in PDF format to [email protected] or hand deliver at our offices located at 874 Willow Close, New Ardbennie, Harare before the 25th of October 2023. Successful applicants will be invited for oral and practical assessments.

VacancyHQ Expert Job Listing Tips

Five Tips for Applying:

In my experience, a tailored resume always stands out. Include details about your Degree/Diploma/Certificate, culinary trend knowledge, your creative and unique abilities in cooking, and highlight your ability to multitask in a high-pressure environment.
Describe any leadership positions you've held, noting down the size of teams you led, any conflicts you resolved, and improvements you engendered in team efficiency or productivity.
Include measurable achievements from your previous roles as Cook emphasizing your longevity in the role (4 years) and successful outcomes.
Ensure that your interpersonal skills are reflected in how you narrate your past work experience, especially when recounting collaborative exercises.
Note that the application is to be submitted in PDF format. This shows attention to detail, something extremely necessary for a Head Cook role.

Five Important Areas of the Job Description:

Interpret the specific format preferred for application submission (C.V in PDF format).
Notice the deadline for job application submissions (25th October 2023).
If you are lacking some qualifications, you could compensate by demonstrating your extensive experience in a high-pressure environment or your ability to create unique dishes.
Applications can be hand-delivered, offering an opportunity to possibly meet some staff or even the hiring manager, and get a sense of the work environment.
Pay close attention to the provided email and physical addresses to avoid sending your application to the wrong place.

Three Strategies to Stand Out:

What I have noticed over time is that applicants who highlight their knowledge of latest culinary trends and their ability to incorporate them into their dishes, tends to stand out.
Demonstrate your creativity and innovation by sharing about a time when you had to adapt a recipe or innovate under constraints.
Address your understanding of health and safety laws and regulations in your cover letter. Summaries of safety trainings you attended or situations when your awareness of these regulations were crucial could help with this.

Three Things Novice Applicants Might Miss:

The emphasis on hygiene and cleanliness in the work area, which may suggest the organization values maintaining a clean and professional presentation.
The need for regular inventory checks and ensuring the delivery of the correct equipment indicating a strong attention to detail.
The job description requires managing multiple tasks, hinting at a fast-paced work environment where efficiency and multitasking are crucial. Therefore, showcasing such abilities can be advantageous.