HEAD CHEF / MINE CATERING CHEF

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced, reliable, and highly organised Head Chef / Mine Catering Chef to oversee the preparation and delivery of nutritious, high-quality meals for approximately 200 employees and personnel at a mining operation in Doma, Zimbabwe.

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing day-to-day kitchen operations, planning menus, supervising kitchen staff, managing food supplies and costs, and ensuring that meals are prepared and served safely, efficiently, and consistently.

Key Responsibilities

1. - Plan, prepare, and oversee the preparation of meals for approximately 200 people.
2. - Develop balanced, nutritious, and varied menus suitable for a mining workforce.
3. - Prepare breakfast, lunch, dinner, and other meals or refreshments as required.
4. - Manage high-volume food production while maintaining consistent quality and portion sizes.
5. - Supervise, train, and allocate duties to kitchen assistants, cooks, and catering staff.
6. - Develop weekly and monthly menus while taking into account nutritional requirements, available ingredients, and budget.
7. - Manage food purchasing, stock levels, inventory, and kitchen supplies.
8. - Work closely with management to develop and maintain food budgets.
9. - Monitor food costs, portion control, wastage, and overall kitchen expenditure.
10. - Ensure ingredients are fresh, properly stored, labelled, and used within appropriate food-safety guidelines.
11. - Maintain high standards of food hygiene, kitchen cleanliness, and sanitation.
12. - Ensure compliance with applicable Zimbabwean food safety, health, and occupational safety requirements.
13. - Maintain proper records of stock, purchases, menus, food temperatures, cleaning schedules, and other relevant kitchen documentation.
14. - Coordinate meal preparation and service to ensure food is available on time, particularly around mining shift schedules.
15. - Cater for different dietary requirements and reasonable special meal requests where necessary.
16. - Ensure kitchen equipment is used correctly, cleaned, and maintained.
17. - Identify maintenance or replacement requirements for kitchen equipment and report these to management.
18. - Minimise food waste through effective menu planning, purchasing, preparation, and storage.
19. - Maintain professional standards of conduct and a positive working relationship with mine management and employees.
20. - Assist with catering for meetings, special events, visitors, and other company functions when required.
21. - Ensure the kitchen operates efficiently even during periods of high demand or staff shortages.

1. - Proven experience as a Head Chef, Chef, Catering Manager, or similar role.
2. - Previous experience in large-scale catering, institutional catering, mining camps, lodges, hotels, schools, hospitals, or similar environments is highly advantageous.
3. - Demonstrated experience catering for 150–200+ people.
4. - Culinary qualification or professional chef training is an advantage.
5. - Strong knowledge of food preparation, nutrition, food safety, hygiene, and sanitation.
6. - Experience with menu planning, bulk cooking, portion control, and food costing.
7. - Strong stock management and purchasing skills.
8. - Ability to lead and supervise a kitchen team effectively.
9. - Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
10. - Ability to work under pressure in a high-volume environment.
11. - Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
12. - Good communication and interpersonal skills.
13. - Reliable, disciplined, and able to work according to mining-site schedules.
14. - Ability to work weekends, public holidays, and shifts when required.
15. - Valid food-handling/health certification will be an advantage.
16. - References from previous employers may be required.