Executive Chef - Culinary Identity Creator

About the role

Lemomo is an intimate ultra-luxury lodge set in the Amboseli ecosystem, built around fire as a way of gathering. Discover Collection is looking for a Head Chef to create the lodge's culinary identity from the ground up, drawing on Kenya's cultural and culinary diversity and using seasonal produce, responsibly sourced meat and fish, local honey, herbs, fruits, grains and spices. The role also leads the culinary pre-opening.

Key responsibilities

• Define a distinctive culinary identity and create personal, memorable dining experiences inspired by Kenya and the wider East African region.
• Create a culture of gathering around food, where guests, hosts, producers and community come together through shared meals, conversation and storytelling.
• Lead the culinary pre-opening: develop concepts and menus, prepare the kitchens, establish suppliers, recruit the team and bring the experience to life.
• Explore Kenya's food traditions with curiosity and respect, turning their ingredients, techniques and stories into refined, contemporary cuisine.
• Make fire-led cooking a signature, using flame, smoke and embers to create food with character and a strong sense of place.
• Build reciprocal relationships with local farmers, growers, pastoralists, fishermen, producers and artisans, guided by a Slow Food approach (Seasonal, Local, Organic, Wholesome).
• Recruit, inspire and develop a culinary team, building a kitchen culture based on craftsmanship, generosity, accountability and growth.
• Balance creativity with commercial discipline, taking ownership of food costs, procurement, productivity and profitability while keeping the guest experience in mind.

Required profile

• Proven culinary leadership from luxury hotels, lodges, resorts or acclaimed independent restaurants.
• Pre-opening experience and an understanding of remote, safari or destination-led operations are especially valuable.
• A chef driven by discovery, curious about people and ingredients, and who understands that true luxury is about provenance, connection and generosity.

To apply, send your CV to the employer's careers contact.