Restaurant Sous Chef at Sawari Hospitality Solutions in Nairobi, Kenya

    Sawari Hospitality Solutions logo

    Restaurant Sous Chef

    Posted

    1 week ago

    Apply by

    25 Aug

    Full Time
    On Site
    Mid
    Food Services, Hospitality & Catering
    Food Services & Catering

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    Job Description

    We are recruiting for a company building a contemporary Neapolitan style pizza restaurant in Nairobi with a casual atmosphere and bar. We're looking for best-in-class chefs and hospitality staff. This is a full-time, on-site role, working as the Head Chef's right hand. You'll lead the kitchen during service, build and enforce the systems that keep our pizza consistent, and develop the team. We want someone with sharp standards, strong leadership, and a deep respect for Neapolitan pizza and quality ingredients.

    Key Responsibilities

    • Support the Head Chef in running day-to-day kitchen operations
    • Build, implement, and refine SOPs across dough, prep, and station setup
    • Maintain and improve standards across every dish that leaves the pass
    • Train, mentor, and supervise pizzaioli, demi CDPs, and commis chefs
    • Oversee daily prep and dough management to keep service smooth
    • Monitor food costs, portion control, and wastage
    • Support with kitchen ordering, stock levels, and supplier relationships
    • Ensure food safety and hygiene compliance
    • Coordinate with front of house to keep service flowing
    • Assist with menu development and testing

    Required Qualifications

    • Proven experience as a Sous Chef, or strong senior CDP ready to step up
    • Strong knowledge of Neapolitan pizza, or willingness to master it
    • Strong leadership skills, experience building and developing teams
    • Experience implementing SOPs and operational standards
    • Solid understanding of kitchen costs, waste, and portion control
    • Experience with stock management and ordering
    • Tech- and systems-forward
    • Strong communicator with kitchen and leadership
    • Integrity and accountability
    • 2+ years of work experience with Culinary Arts

    Job Details

    Job Function

    Food Services & Catering

    Minimum Experience

    2 years

    Education Level

    Diploma

    Area of Study

    Culinary Arts

    Field of Study

    Culinary Arts

    Languages

    English

    Additional Information

    How to Apply: Interested and qualified? Go to Sawari Hospitality Solutions on www.linkedin.com to apply.

    Master the Pass: What It Takes to Run a Neapolitan Kitchen

    This role is about precision, pace, and people. You'll be the Head Chef's right hand, so expect to be judged on how well you keep the kitchen calm and consistent during service.

    1. Show your SOP mindset: In your CV and interview, give concrete examples of how you've built or enforced standard operating procedures. Mention specific systems you've implemented, like dough fermentation logs or prep checklists.

    2. Prove your pizza knowledge: If you claim Neapolitan expertise, be ready to discuss dough hydration, fermentation times, and oven temperature. If you're willing to learn, show that you've already researched the craft.

    3. Lead by example: Hiring managers will look for evidence that you can train and mentor junior staff. Share a story of how you developed a commis chef or improved team performance.

    4. Talk numbers: Be prepared to discuss how you've controlled food costs, reduced waste, or managed stock levels. Bring specific percentages or amounts you've achieved.

    5. Emphasize tech-savviness: Mention any kitchen management software, inventory apps, or digital ordering systems you've used. This shows you can bring efficiency to the operation.

    6. Prepare for a practical test: Many restaurants ask for a working interview. Practice making pizza dough and executing a few dishes under time pressure.

    7. Understand the Neapolitan standard: Know the difference between Neapolitan and New York style, and be ready to talk about ingredients like San Marzano tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella.

    8. Show your integrity: The posting emphasizes integrity and accountability. Give examples of times you owned mistakes or made ethical decisions in the kitchen.

    CareerSasa Safety Alert: Never pay employers or agencies for interviews, training, or job placement. Does a job request payment? Report it immediately using the "Flag" button. While CareerSasa vets job postings thoroughly, always verify opportunities independently.
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    Tags

    Neapolitan pizza
    SOPs
    kitchen management
    food safety
    team leadership