Job description

CHEF

Location: Lusaka, Zambia

Employment Type: Full-Time

Work Mode: On-Site

Application Email: recruitment@portal.bmas.co.za

About the Position

We are looking for a creative, reliable, and hardworking Chef to join a growing mini mart and take responsibility for the preparation and production of fresh, high-quality food products for customers.

The successful candidate will be responsible for preparing a variety of meals, snacks, and ready-to-eat food items while ensuring excellent taste, presentation, portion control, hygiene, and food safety standards. The ideal candidate should be able to work efficiently in a fast-paced retail environment and understand the importance of consistency, cleanliness, customer satisfaction, and minimising food wastage.

This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated Chef who enjoys food preparation and would like to contribute to the growth and quality of a customer-focused mini mart.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare, cook, and present a variety of meals, snacks, and ready-to-eat food products.
• Prepare food according to established recipes, quality standards, and portion requirements.
• Ensure all meals are fresh, properly cooked, appetising, and presented appropriately.
• Assist in developing and introducing suitable food options based on customer preferences and demand.
• Plan daily food preparation to ensure sufficient stock without unnecessary overproduction.
• Monitor the quality and freshness of ingredients before and during food preparation.
• Ensure proper storage, handling, labelling, and preservation of food and ingredients.
• Maintain strict food hygiene and safety standards at all times.
• Keep the kitchen, food preparation areas, utensils, equipment, and storage areas clean and organised.
• Monitor stock levels of food ingredients and communicate replenishment requirements to management.
• Check expiry dates and ensure ingredients are used according to appropriate stock rotation practices.
• Minimise food wastage through effective preparation, portion control, and proper storage.
• Ensure food is prepared and served within appropriate temperature and safety requirements.
• Maintain consistency in taste, quality, portion size, and presentation.
• Work closely with mini mart staff to ensure food products are available when required.
• Assist with inventory checks and report damaged, expired, or low-stock items.
• Ensure cooking equipment is properly cleaned and safely operated.
• Comply with all company policies, workplace health and safety requirements, and applicable food hygiene regulations.
• Maintain a professional appearance and demonstrate good personal hygiene.
• Handle customer-related food requests professionally where required.
• Perform any other reasonable duties assigned by management.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• A Certificate or Diploma in Culinary Arts, Food Production, Hospitality Management, or a related field is an added advantage.
• Previous experience working as a Chef, Cook, or in a food production environment.
• Experience in a mini mart, supermarket, restaurant, café, takeaway, catering business, or similar environment will be an advantage.
• Demonstrated knowledge of food preparation, cooking techniques, food hygiene, and food safety.
• Ability to prepare a variety of meals and food products.
• Ability to work efficiently while maintaining quality and consistency.
• Good understanding of portion control and food cost management.
• Basic knowledge of stock management and food inventory control.

Key Competencies and Skills

The ideal candidate should demonstrate:

• Strong culinary and food preparation skills
• Creativity and attention to detail
• Excellent hygiene and cleanliness standards
• Good time management
• Ability to work under pressure
• Good organisational skills
• Teamwork and cooperation
• Reliability and punctuality
• Good communication skills
• Customer-focused attitude
• Ability to minimise food wastage
• Strong sense of responsibility and accountability

Working Conditions

The successful candidate should be prepared to work in a busy retail food environment. The role may require early starts, weekends, public holidays, and flexible working hours, depending on the operating schedule of the mini mart.

The Chef will be expected to maintain high standards of personal hygiene, cleanliness, food safety, and professionalism throughout their working hours.

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for someone who is passionate about cooking, dependable, disciplined, and committed to delivering quality food. The ideal candidate should take pride in their work, be willing to learn, and demonstrate the ability to work independently while also being an effective member of the wider mini mart team.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their updated CV to:

recruitment@portal.bmas.co.za

Email Subject: Application – Chef

Applications should clearly demonstrate relevant experience in cooking, food preparation, hospitality, catering, or a related environment.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.