Head of Kitchen

About the role

Le Café Jeu Ltd is opening a board game café in The Hub Karen, Nairobi and seeks an experienced Head of Kitchen to manage day‑to‑day kitchen operations, including food production, quality, hygiene and stock management. The role is hands‑on, requiring active participation in food preparation.

Key responsibilities

• Plan, organise and participate in daily kitchen production.
• Ensure consistent quality, portioning and presentation in line with established recipes.
• Maintain accurate recipe records for stock and cost tracking.
• Manage kitchen stock: receiving, storage, labelling, FIFO/FEFO and expiry control.
• Monitor stock levels and prepare supplier ordering lists.
• Record production, stock movements, wastage and spoilage and submit required reports.
• Maintain high standards of food safety, hygiene and cleanliness.
• Ensure proper use and care of kitchen equipment and report faults.
• Supervise, organise and train the kitchen team.
• Coordinate effectively with management and front‑of‑house staff.

Required profile

• Minimum 3 years’ professional kitchen experience.
• Training in bakery and pastry (mandatory).
• Proven competence in general savoury kitchen production.
• Training or professional experience in French pastry (advantage).
• Appropriate food hygiene and food‑handling certification where required.
• Reliable commute to The Hub Karen and ability to work early morning hours.
• Serious, reliable, organised and rigorous with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to lead a small team with professionalism, respect and patience.

Required skills

• Bakery and pastry production.
• Savoury kitchen production.
• French pastry techniques (optional).
• Food safety and hygiene certification.
• Stock management using FIFO/FEFO principles.
• Recipe costing and record‑keeping.
• Kitchen equipment maintenance.