Executive Chef

Job Location

Avani Gaborone Resort & Casino in Gaborone, Botswana.

About Avani Hotels & Resorts

Avani strives to balance style and function, combining vibrant social environments with functional rooms and locally inspired cuisine. The brand focuses on a friendly service culture that respects the art of hospitality while growing across multiple global regions including Europe, Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Avani values genuine warmth and exceptional service as core attributes of its teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development and implementation of the hotel’s strategic plans, focusing on food & beverage objectives.
• Set annual targets for food revenue and profitability.
• Collaborate with management on kitchen investment plans.
• Analyze market trends and lead the definition of the hotel’s culinary offerings.
• Oversee menu planning and pricing in alignment with hotel and brand goals.
• Create new menus and food items that align with guest preferences and cultural/religious considerations.
• Ensure quality control in food preparation and presentation, monitoring guest satisfaction levels.
• Implement waste reduction and production efficiency measures.
• Maintain adherence to hotel and brand standards for food presentation and preparation.
• Support and release kitchen staff for special assignments including hotel openings and events.
• Ensure kitchen staff clearly understand the F&B strategy and produce accordingly.
• Supervise daily kitchen operations and guide the team effectively.
• Provide orientation and ongoing training for kitchen team members.
• Handle recruitment and employee relations in coordination with HR.
• Manage departmental payroll and expenses.
• Maintain supplier relationships and contracts.
• Encourage and facilitate participation in culinary competitions at various levels.
• Uphold top standards in food hygiene, health, and safety procedures.
• Respond promptly to any health or safety hazards and collaborate with engineering for equipment maintenance.
• Ensure proper food storage and good kitchen housekeeping standards.
• Conduct emergency preparedness training and maintain first aid readiness.
• Represent the executive team at guest and official functions.

Success Attributes

• Proactivity with foresight and adaptability to change.
• Emotional steadiness and self-motivation under pressure.
• Strong interpersonal skills including empathy and cultural awareness.
• Effective coaching and leadership fostering team development and motivation.
• Conflict management capabilities.
• Clear and transparent communication.
• Professional integrity and ethical business conduct.
• Commitment to exceeding performance expectations.
• Continuous personal and professional development.
• Focus on delivering high-quality guest experiences.