Head Chef (NGO) – Nairobi, Kenya

How to Apply: Interested and qualified candidates should apply via the Summit Recruitment and Search website at summitrecruitment-search.com.

Show Your High-Volume Kitchen Leadership

This role demands a chef who has run busy kitchens in branded hotels, handled pre-opening projects, and managed large-scale banquets and conferences. Your application must prove you can lead a brigade, control costs, and keep standards high under pressure.

1. Tailor your CV to high-volume operations: Highlight your experience with banqueting, buffets, and conference catering. Use numbers—covers per day, events per month, team size, and budget managed. For example, 'Led a 12-person kitchen producing 1,500 covers daily for conference and banquet services.'

2. Emphasize pre-opening experience: Since pre-opening is mandatory, detail your role in any hotel or restaurant launch. Mention tasks like kitchen design input, equipment selection, recipe development, and staff hiring and training.

3. Show your HACCP and food safety knowledge: List your Food Handler's Certificate and any HACCP or food safety certifications. Explain how you've implemented hygiene protocols and passed health inspections in previous roles.

4. Demonstrate cost management skills: Hiring managers will probe your ability to control food costs and reduce wastage. Give examples of how you've managed budgets, negotiated with suppliers, and conducted stock takes to improve profitability.

5. Prepare for menu development questions: Be ready to discuss how you create and standardize recipes, introduce new dishes, and balance local and international cuisines. Bring a few sample menus or recipe cards to the interview.

6. Highlight your leadership and training approach: This role requires mentoring and scheduling kitchen staff. Share your methods for building teamwork, maintaining discipline, and developing junior chefs. Give a specific example of a team you've built or improved.

7. Understand the NGO context: Even though it's a hospitality role, the NGO environment may have unique constraints like budget limitations and donor expectations. Show you can work within such frameworks while maintaining quality.

8. Be ready for practical and situational questions: Expect questions about handling peak service times, dietary requirements, and guest complaints. Prepare concise, action-oriented answers that show your problem-solving and calm under pressure.