PROFILES
Jon Light
Jon Light is a vastly experienced recruitment consultant who has a solid background in both Hospitality and Recruitment.
With experience of both the Front of House and Back of House operations this allows him excellent understanding of most facets of the industry and his passion for the Hospitality industry, and excellence therein, certainly shines through.
He utilises his in-depth industry knowledge and judgment to successfully assist Chefs of all levels and sectors in finding their ideal next move. Furthermore, Jon’s character and professionalism helps clients find outstanding new additions to their teams.
Michelle Wells
Michelle Wells is a highly motivated and passionate senior recruiter with an excellent track record in placing chefs of all levels and FOH staff with a retention level that is the envy of any recruitment consultant.
Michelle comes from a strong restaurant operations background in South Africa, starting off at St Elmos in Hout Bay and then to the famous Mariners Wharf. Loving the hospitality industry, Michelle did her Hotel Management Diploma at Grainger Bay Hotel School and then to the bright lights of London. Completing a year at The Langham Hilton 5* Hotel as a Front Office Receptionist and then eventually joining the OXO Tower Restaurant, Bar & Brasserie where she worked her way through reception, reservations and the Finance Department where she balanced the books for this Harvey Nichols owned company. Bit of a career change saw, Michelle join the recruitment sector where she worked for another hospitality agency, mentored by Krishnan Doyle and when Krishnan took the opportunity to start CORE, Michelle joined him 6 months later, focusing on Chef Recruitment. In November 2009, Michelle made the decision to come back to Cape Town and so the idea for the SA and International Division was born!
Her recruitment skills are based upon understanding the needs of her clients and her candidates, always integrating with them to make the right match!
Sonja Grothoff
Sonja has been working in the hospitality industry since 2001 starting of in hotels and contract catering whilst studying for her hotel management degree.
After finishing her studies she gained valuable experience on the London and international 5* hotel market working in various departments including Front Desk, F&B, Revenue and HR.
Due to her varied background her strength lays within the recruitment of high quality front and back of house staff across all operational departments from junior management up to Regional Directors Level.
She believes that understanding the individual hotel operations and anticipating the clients’ recruitment needs is just as important as to understand the candidates’ personal requirements in their job search to find the right match.
