About the Role

At tashas Waterfront, beautiful food is at the heart of what we do. We are looking for a Commis Chef with a passion for pasta to join our kitchen team and help us deliver the quality, consistency and care that our guests have come to expect from tashas.

Working as part of the BOH team, you will take ownership of the pasta section during service, preparing dishes to brand standards while maintaining a clean, organised and efficient workstation. You’ll learn from experienced chefs, develop your technical skills and play an important part in creating food that is made with quality and purpose.

This is a hands-on role for someone who takes pride in the details, enjoys working as part of a team and wants to grow within a kitchen environment where excellence and generosity matter.

Your Mission

Your focus will be the pasta section — ensuring every dish is prepared, cooked, finished and presented consistently to tashas standards.

You’ll bring care and precision to your mise en place, understand the importance of timing during service and work closely with the wider kitchen team to ensure every plate leaving the kitchen meets our standards for quality, taste and presentation.

Key Responsibilities

Pasta Section & Kitchen Operations

• Prepare and execute pasta dishes according to tashas recipes, specifications and brand standards.

• Set up and maintain the pasta section for each service period, ensuring all mise en place is prepared and ready for peak periods.

• Prepare, portion and store ingredients correctly, ensuring freshness and adherence to shelf-life requirements.

• Cook pasta and accompanying ingredients using the correct techniques, cooking times and portion sizes.

• Check and taste food throughout preparation and service to ensure quality and consistency.

• Ensure every pasta dish leaving the kitchen meets the required standards for taste, texture, presentation and portioning.

• Complete daily and weekly preparation requirements as directed by BOH Management.

• Work efficiently during busy services while maintaining attention to detail and quality.

• Assist other kitchen sections and team members when required.

• Complete opening and closing duties according to brand standards.

• Clean down and organise the pasta section after service, ensuring food is stored correctly and safely.

Quality & Standards

• Maintain consistently high standards of food preparation and presentation.

• Follow all recipes, cooking methods, portion sizes and kitchen procedures.

• Ensure ingredients are fresh, correctly labelled, stored and used within their shelf life.

• Support the management team in maintaining strong operational standards and achieving a minimum 94.5% SOE each month.

• Understand and uphold the three pillars of the brand: beautiful food, stunning environments and engaging service.

Health, Safety & Hygiene

• Follow all relevant South African health, safety and food hygiene regulations.

• Adhere to HACCP standards when handling, preparing, storing and serving food.

• Maintain excellent personal hygiene and grooming standards.

• Keep your workstation, equipment and utensils clean and sanitised throughout service.

• Handle kitchen equipment and cleaning products safely and correctly.

• Report equipment faults, food safety concerns or hazards to BOH Management promptly.

Team & Culture

• Attend daily briefings and follow the allocations, duties and activations assigned by BOH Management.

• Arrive on time and ready for service, supporting the team wherever needed.

• Work generously and collaboratively with your colleagues across the kitchen.

• Support new team members as they learn our standards and ways of working.

• Follow company policies and disciplinary guidelines.

• Live the tashas Group values of Attention to Detail, Generosity, Teamwork, Leadership, Excellence, Delivery, Quality, Sustainability and Innovation.

• Represent the brand with warmth, professionalism and pride.

What We’re Looking For

• Previous experience in a professional kitchen is advantageous.

• A genuine passion for food, particularly pasta and Italian-inspired cooking.

• A willingness to learn and develop your culinary skills.

• Good understanding of basic kitchen techniques and food preparation.

• Strong attention to detail and pride in your work.

• Ability to remain calm, organised and focused during busy service.

• Reliable, punctual and committed to maintaining high standards.

• A positive, team-first attitude and willingness to support others.

• Good understanding of food safety, hygiene and HACCP principles.

What You’ll Love

You’ll be joining a team that believes in making people happy through stunning food, beautiful environments and engagingly delivered hospitality.

At tashas, Inspired Hospitality is about the care behind every detail — including the way food is prepared, presented and shared with our guests.

You’ll have the opportunity to learn, grow and build your culinary career within a Group that values quality, teamwork, generosity and a constant desire for excellence.