Culinary Development & Operations Chef

Career Nest Academy; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 335,000 - 502,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Annual flight ticket allowance

Relocation support for overseas hires

Employment visa

Job summary

Career Nest Academy in the UAE is seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead our growing flavour-led fast-casual concept across Abu Dhabi and future openings. You set the food for every location to taste the same on lunch service, delivery orders and new sites, reporting directly to the founder.

You will audit and refine the menu, work with the central kitchen on batch recipes and preparation schedules, decide what is prepared centrally, and create recipe cards, guides and training to ensure

Qualifications

• Seasoned head chef with multi-site or central kitchen experience.
• Strong track record in fast-casual concepts and menu development.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills in English.

Responsibilities

• Audit and refine the existing menu and develop signature dishes.
• Collaborate with central kitchen on batch recipes, yields, portions and prep schedules.
• Decide what is prepared centrally and how it is stored, transported and finished at each outlet.
• Ensure dishes hold up in busy service, takeaway and delivery.
• Create recipe cards, preparation guides and presentation standards, and train teams to follow them.
• Control food cost, portions, wastage, food safety and allergen standards.
• Lead culinary readiness for flagship openings and future expansions.

Skills

Leadership

Menu development

Food cost control

English communication

Education

Culinary degree

Tools

Josper/wood-fire grill

Job description

A growing, flavour-led fast-casual concept in the UAE, built around fresh ingredients, bowls, grilled proteins, vegetables, salads and house-made sauces. Restaurants in Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah, a flagship opening in Abu Dhabi, and more to follow.

This is a brand role rather than a single kitchen. You set the food for every location and make sure it tastes the same on a busy lunch service, on a delivery order and in a restaurant that has not opened yet. You report directly to the founder and shape the menu as the concept grows.

What the role covers

• Audit and refine the existing menu, keep what works and develop new signature dishes
• Work hands-on with the central kitchen on batch recipes, yields, portion specifications and preparation schedules
• Decide what is prepared centrally and how it is stored, transported and finished at each outlet
• Make sure every dish holds up in busy service, takeaway and delivery
• Create recipe cards, preparation guides and presentation standards, and train the teams to follow them
• Control food cost, portions, wastage, food safety and allergen standards
• Lead culinary readiness for the new flagship, menu launches and future openings

What we're looking for

• An experienced Head Chef, or an exceptional Senior Sous Chef ready for broader responsibility
• Real strength in proteins, vegetables, salads, dressings, sauces and marinades
• Experience in fast-casual, multi-site or central-kitchen operations
• Wood-fire or Josper experience is a strong advantage
• Practical, collaborative leadership and genuine openness to feedback
• Strong English communication

The package

• Competitive tax-free salary, all-inclusive
• Medical insurance and duty meals
• Annual flight ticket allowance
• Employment visa and relocation support for overseas candidates