Company Overview
Our client is an Exclusive Safari Lodge, luxury retreat situated in the northern Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Famous for its incredible wildlife viewing and unpretentious yet deeply caring hospitality, they transform dining into a central, storytelling element of the broader safari adventure.
Position Overview
The Culinary Host & Food Journey Consultant acts as the crucial, front-facing link between the lodge’s kitchen operations and the guest. This is not a traditional back-of-house Kitchen Manager role. Instead, it focuses heavily on hosting the evening dining experience, engaging directly with luxury travelers, and sharing the unique story, heritage, and regional inspiration behind every meal. The successful candidate will leverage deep technical culinary knowledge to support kitchen operations, ensure strict hygiene standards, and guarantee that guest expectations are perfectly translated into exceptional plate executions.
Key Performance Areas (KPAs)
- Guest Hosting & Experience Management
- Host and oversee the nightly dinner service to guarantee a seamless, engaging, and premium atmosphere.
- Share the narrative and cultural context behind the evening’s menu concepts to enrich the overall safari immersion.
- Proactively engage with international and local guests to gather immediate, constructive feedback.
- Bridge communication gaps by channeling guest insights, culinary compliments, and dietary concerns directly to the kitchen and lodge management.
- Kitchen Support & Operations
- Liaise regularly with the Lodge Chef Consultant and Food & Beverage (F&B) Manager to roll out innovative menu variations and uphold visual standards.
- Support the back-of-house team dynamically, using personal kitchen experience to help staff master and replicate standard recipes.
- Provide practical, hands-on guidance during busy prep and service hours to build team confidence and maintain steady workflow patterns.
- Quality Assurance & Compliance
- Enforce and monitor stringent Kitchen Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations.
- Audit hygiene practices, cleanliness, and storage protocols across all food preparation spaces.
- Ensure consistent plate execution so that dishes exiting the pass match the lodge’s premium standards.
Candidate Requirements
Skills and Attributes
- Charismatic, polished host personality with an innate passion for front-of-house client interaction.
- Excellent verbal communication skills capable of captivating diverse, high-net-worth audiences.
- Strong technical culinary foundation paired with deep respect for kitchen mechanics and menu design.
- Meticulous attention to detail concerning plating presentation, environment layout, and safety procedures.
- Collaborative attitude equipped to build cross-departmental trust between serving staff, managers, and line cooks.
Experience & Qualifications
- Proven track record working in a premium professional kitchen, food production environment, or high-end lodge setting.
- Demonstrated experience in public-facing hospitality, fine dining service, or premium lodge hosting.
- Comprehensive knowledge of standard food safety regulations (HACCP / OHS guidelines).
- Previous luxury safari lodge experience is required
To apply, forward full comprehensive CV, all supporting documentation as well as portfolio and email details of all references to ronel@cedar-wood.co.za
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview, if you don’t get contacted within 7 day’s please regard your CV as not shortlisted.