Vacancy title:
Head Chef

[Type: FULL_TIME, Industry: Hospitality, and Tourism, Category: Management, Restaurant & Hospitality, Installation, Maintenance & Repair, Customer Service]

Jobs at:
Enkare

Deadline of this Job:
Wednesday, July 15 2026

Duty Station:
Enkare Boma Lodge, Mto wa Mbu, Tanzania | Tanzania

Summary
Date Posted: Tuesday, July 7 2026, Base Salary: Not Disclosed

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JOB DETAILS:

About the Role

The Head Chef is responsible for creating exceptional culinary experiences that reflect the spirit of Enkare and the rich cultural heritage of the Lake Manyara region.

This role goes beyond preparing meals. The successful candidate will design seasonal menus inspired by local ingredients and Maasai culinary traditions, lead the kitchen team, maintain the highest standards of food quality and hygiene, and ensure every dining experience becomes a memorable part of each guest's stay.

The ideal candidate is a creative culinary leader who combines technical excellence with a passion for storytelling, sustainability, and authentic hospitality.

Key Responsibilities

Culinary Leadership & Menu Development

• Design and maintain seasonal menus inspired by locally sourced ingredients and Maasai culinary traditions.
• Develop signature dining experiences, including bush breakfasts, fire dinners, sundowner grazing boards, and the Enkare herbal tea ceremony.
• Create menu storytelling guides that enable the service team to share the cultural inspiration behind each dish.
• Regularly review and update menus based on seasonal availability and guest preferences.
• Ensure all menus accommodate dietary requirements, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal, and allergy-specific options.

Kitchen Operations

• Oversee the day-to-day operation of the kitchen across breakfast, lunch, dinner, and special events.
• Lead, supervise, train, and schedule kitchen staff to ensure efficient operations.
• Maintain exceptional food quality, presentation, consistency, and portion control.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, hygiene, sanitation, and HACCP standards.
• Manage inventory, stock rotation, ordering, and food storage in collaboration with the Supplies Coordinator.
• Monitor food costs, minimize waste, and ensure operations remain within budget.
• Conduct routine inspections of kitchen equipment and coordinate maintenance where necessary.

Guest Experience & Team Collaboration

• Brief the front-of-house team daily on menus, specials, and dietary considerations.
• Engage with guests during dining experiences to enhance their understanding of the cuisine and local food culture.
• Facilitate interactive cooking classes and culinary experiences for guests.
• Source fresh ingredients from local farmers, the Maasai community, and Mto wa Mbu markets whenever possible.
• Collaborate with the Cultural Host to ensure food experiences authentically represent local traditions and storytelling.

Qualifications & Experience

• Certificate or Diploma in Culinary Arts, Catering, Professional Cookery, or a related field.
• Minimum of 2 years' experience as a Head Chef or Senior Chef in a luxury lodge, boutique hotel, resort, or high-quality restaurant.
• Demonstrated experience developing and costing menus.
• Strong knowledge of kitchen operations, inventory management, and food cost control.
• Current Food Hygiene Certification (or willingness to obtain certification within the first month of employment).
• Experience leading and developing small kitchen teams.
• Good spoken and written English.
• Knowledge of East African cuisine is an advantage, while an appreciation for Maasai culinary traditions is highly desirable.

Core Competencies

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong culinary creativity and innovation.
• Leadership and team development skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management abilities.
• High standards of food quality and presentation.
• Strong understanding of food safety and hygiene practices.
• Budgeting and cost-control skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to sustainability and responsible sourcing.
• Passion for authentic hospitality and guest engagement.

What Success Looks Like

An exceptional Head Chef at Enkare creates memorable dining experiences that celebrate place, culture, and community.

Success in this role means:

• Delivering consistently outstanding food quality and presentation.
• Creating menus that showcase local ingredients and seasonal produce.
• Inspiring and developing a motivated kitchen team.
• Building meaningful relationships with local suppliers and producers.
• Providing guests with authentic culinary experiences that become highlights of their stay.
• Operating an efficient, safe, and well-managed kitchen with minimal waste and strong financial performance.

Compensation & Benefits

Enkare offers a competitive salary above the Tanzanian hospitality market rate, reviewed annually.

Benefits include:

• Meals during shifts
• Staff uniform
• Performance-based bonus
• NSSF contributions
• 28 days annual leave
• Ongoing professional development opportunities

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 24

Level of Education: bachelor degree

Job application procedure

Apply through: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScpRVtcwwYGC8pAPRcVKzPOvN1Stni-2zO85_Vbmwevn6Sj_w/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=103286775963309752014

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