Chef de Cuisine, Italian

DC Global Talent Inc.; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 156,000 - 167,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accommodation allowance

Discounted stays at partner properties

Learning and development programmes

Job summary

DC Global Talent Inc. is seeking a Chef de Cuisine specializing in authentic Italian cuisine for a luxury beachfront hotel in Abu Dhabi.

This senior leadership role oversees the full culinary operation for a high-volume Italian restaurant serving lunch and dinner. Based in Abu Dhabi, you will lead a team, develop seasonal menus, manage costs, and ensure exceptional dining experiences for an international clientele.

Qualifications

• Senior kitchen leadership experience in luxury hotel settings.
• Proven authentic Italian cuisine expertise.
• Strong understanding of HACCP and food safety.
• Ability to manage high-volume service.
• Experience with menu engineering and cost controls.

Responsibilities

• Lead kitchen operations and uphold top-tier food standards.
• Develop menus reflecting authentic Italian flavours.
• Ensure consistency across lunch and dinner service.
• Oversee mise en place, production schedules, and service flow.
• Coach and mentor culinary team, fostering positive culture.
• Monitor food costs, waste, and kitchen expenses.
• Coordinate purchasing, supplier relations, and inventory.
• Ensure HACCP compliance and hygiene.
• Collaborate with Executive Chef on promotions and events.

Skills

Leadership

Team development

Communication

Authentic Italian cuisine

HACCP knowledge

Job description

Luxury Beachfront Hotel • Abu Dhabi, UAE • AED 14,000 - 15,000 per month + Accommodation

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are looking for a Chef de Cuisine specializing in Italian cuisine for a prestigious luxury beachfront hotel in Abu Dhabi. This is a senior kitchen leadership role responsible for the full culinary operation of a high-volume Italian restaurant, serving lunch and dinner. The right candidate brings deep knowledge of authentic Italian culinary traditions, strong leadership skills, and the passion to deliver exceptional, consistent food experiences to a discerning international clientele.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Lead all kitchen operations, ensuring the highest standards of food preparation, presentation, and service
• Develop and regularly refresh menus that reflect authentic Italian flavours, seasonality, and creativity
• Ensure consistency in taste, quality, portioning, and presentation across all service periods
• Oversee daily mise en place, production schedules, and smooth execution across both lunch and dinner service
• Supervise, train, and mentor the culinary team, fostering skill development and a positive kitchen culture
• Monitor and control food costs, portion sizes, waste, and overall kitchen expenses
• Manage food purchasing, supplier coordination, and inventory control
• Ensure full compliance with HACCP, food safety regulations, and hygiene standards
• Collaborate with the Executive Chef and F&B team on promotions, events, and special culinary initiatives

WHAT YOU BRING

• Currently based in the Middle East is strongly preferred; shortlisted candidates will be invited to the property for a food tasting as part of the selection process
• Strong authentic Italian cuisine experience
• Proven experience as a Chef de Cuisine or Senior Sous Chef specializing in authentic Italian cuisine
• Deep knowledge of regional Italian culinary traditions, ingredients, and techniques
• Experience leading a kitchen in a luxury hotel or high-end restaurant environment
• Strong leadership, team development, and communication skills
• Solid understanding of food costing, menu engineering, and HACCP compliance
• Creative, detail-oriented, and passionate about consistently exceptional food
• Ability to perform in a fast-paced, high-standard, high-volume kitchen environment

WHAT'S OFFERED

• Basic salary of AED 14,000 - 15,000 per month
• Accommodation allowance of AED 6,000 per month
• Discounted stays at partner hotel properties worldwide
• Learning and development programmes with career growth opportunities