Kalahari Research Centre, a research reserve in the Kalahari, is looking for a second cook to join our kitchen team, working alongside our existing cook to prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner for approximately 20–25 researchers and volunteers each day.

This is a practical kitchen rather than a restaurant. You'll prepare good, wholesome meals for researchers and volunteers, serving them family-style in shared dishes rather than individually plated. The focus is on producing consistent, high-quality meals, careful portion control, and an efficiently run kitchen—not restaurant presentation or fine dining.

Equally important, this role requires someone who is genuinely confident with computers. You'll use our digital inventory system every day to manage stock, recipes, ordering, and inventory, so exceptional computer aptitude is essential.

THE ROLE

● Full-day cooking: breakfast, lunch, and dinner for ±20–25 people, Monday to Saturday (Sundays always off, plus one additional weekday off)

● Work as part of a two-person kitchen team

● Menu planning and meal preparation for staff and researchers on-site

● Daily use of our digital inventory system (Grocy): logging stock movements, maintaining recipes, updating inventory, troubleshooting issues, and placing supplier orders

● Maintain hygiene and food safety standards in a remote, self-sufficient kitchen environment

REQUIREMENTS

● Exceptional computer aptitude (ESSENTIAL): This role relies heavily on our digital inventory system (Grocy). You must be genuinely confident using computers, learning new software quickly, and troubleshooting problems independently. This goes well beyond basic Word or Excel skills and includes working confidently with detailed stock records, recipe management, ordering systems, inventory control, and data. Previous experience with hospitality systems such as Micros, GAAP, Pilot, PlusPoint, Lightspeed, or similar inventory/POS software is a strong advantage. This is a non-negotiable requirement, and applicants who are not highly computer-literate will not be considered.

● Experience cooking for groups: Experience in lodges, boarding schools, guest houses, staff canteens, field stations, retreats, or similar environments is ideal. This role involves preparing good, wholesome meals for around 20–25 people at a time, rather than individual restaurant service. If you're looking to build a career in fine dining or à la carte cooking, this position is unlikely to be the right fit.

● Able to work to a budget and be wastage-conscious: this is a remote kitchen with limited resupply, so planning and portion control matter

● Energetic and proactive: a self-starter who takes initiative and finds a way forward rather than waiting to be told what to do

● Genuinely willing to learn

● Friendly, positive outlook, and works well within a small team

● Able to take direction from and work well under a female kitchen lead

● Comfortable working in an international team with a mix of cultures and nationalities

● Reliable and punctual, with consistent attendance: this is a small team covering three meals a day, so dependability matters

● Able to work independently

● Willing to live and work on a remote reserve, 30km from Van Zylsrus

● English essential; Afrikaans is beneficial but not required

WHAT WE OFFER

● Salary: negotiable, in the region of R8,000–R12,000 per month, depending on experience and suitability

● Own room with shared ablutions; self-catering

● Sundays off, plus one additional weekday off

● Probation period, leading to a permanent position

● No vehicle needed: staff accommodation is within walking distance of the kitchen

Please apply only if you meet both of these essential requirements: (1) you are genuinely confident using and learning computer systems, and (2) you are looking for a practical cooking role rather than a fine-dining kitchen.

The Kalahari Research Centre is a remote, off-grid reserve. This role suits someone comfortable with isolation, self-sufficiency, and a slower pace of life outside town.

Pay: R8 000,00 - R12 500,00 per month

Work Location: In person

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