Head Chef at Jackfruit Cafe

Jackfruit Cafe is seeking an experienced and passionate Head Chef to lead its kitchen operations in Moshi. As a garden café, coffee shop, and all-day restaurant, Jackfruit Cafe is looking for a hands-on culinary leader who can deliver exceptional food quality while managing a professional and collaborative kitchen team.

The successful candidate will oversee daily kitchen operations, menu development, food costing, stock control, team leadership, and food safety. This role is ideal for a chef who combines creativity with strong operational and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily kitchen operations from preparation to close-down.

• Develop and refresh seasonal menus and daily specials.

  

• Cook on the line during busy service periods.

• Maintain high standards for taste, presentation, consistency, and portion control.

  

• Create and maintain standardized recipes and preparation lists.

• Plan prep schedules to ensure kitchen readiness before service.

  

• Lead, train, schedule, and supervise the kitchen team.

• Conduct shift briefings and maintain effective communication with the front-of-house team.

  

• Manage staff performance and foster a respectful kitchen culture.

• Forecast ingredient requirements and submit purchase requisitions.

• Set quality standards for ingredients and inspect deliveries.

• Control food costs through recipe costing, portion control, and efficient prep planning.

• Participate in stock counts and monitor kitchen inventory usage.

• Implement waste reduction strategies using FIFO, proper storage, and responsible ingredient utilization.

• Record and review daily food waste to meet agreed targets.

• Manage responsible disposal of kitchen waste, including oil and organic waste.

• Use the POS system and spreadsheets for stock-taking, write-offs, and sales analysis.

• Enforce food hygiene, safety, allergen, and cleaning procedures.

• Maintain maintenance records and report equipment faults promptly.

• Ensure compliance with all local health and food safety regulations.

Qualifications Required

• Minimum of 5 years’ professional kitchen experience.

• At least 2 years of experience as a Head Chef or Sous Chef.

• Advanced proficiency in English.

• Fluency in Kiswahili and English.

• Proven ability to cost recipes and manage food budgets.

• Demonstrated success in reducing and controlling food waste.

• Computer literacy, including POS systems and basic spreadsheets.

• Strong knowledge of food hygiene and safety standards.

• Excellent leadership and team management skills.

• Reliable, organized, and able to work under pressure.

• Availability to work weekends and public holidays.

• Formal culinary training or certification is an added advantage.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should send their CV by email.

Email: [email protected]

Application Deadline: 07 September 2026

Final Thought

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced chef to lead the culinary team at one of Moshi’s vibrant all-day dining destinations. If you have a passion for quality food, strong leadership abilities, and experience managing kitchen operations, apply before the closing date.