Executive Chef

Kleindienst Group; Dubai; On-site; AED 450,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

voco Monaco Dubai is seeking an Executive Chef to lead the culinary vision across all dining venues, including restaurants, bars, beach club, pool venues, banqueting and in-room dining. The role emphasizes innovation, quality, and financial discipline within a luxury lifestyle hotel setting in Dubai.

The successful candidate will have 10+ years of culinary leadership, strong European foundation with regional Middle Eastern understanding, and a track record of delivering high-end dining

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of progressive culinary leadership experience.
• Executive Chef or Executive Sous Chef experience in luxury lifestyle hotels.
• Strong background in internationally recognized standalone restaurants.
• Experience opening or repositioning restaurants is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the overall culinary strategy across all dining venues.
• Drive culinary innovation while maintaining consistency and exceptional quality.
• Design seasonal menus and dining experiences aligned with international food trends.
• Lead menu engineering to maximise profitability while enhancing guest satisfaction.
• Oversee all kitchen operations including restaurants, bars, pool operations, in-room dining and staff dining.
• Maintain HACCP compliance and high hygiene standards.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Luxury hotel experience

Restaurant concept leadership

Menu design

Cost control

Education

Culinary degree

Tools

HACCP certification

Food Safety certification

Job description

The Executive Chef is responsible for leading the overall culinary vision, strategy, and execution for voco Monaco Dubai. This role will oversee all culinary operations across restaurants, bars, beach club, pool venues, banqueting, in-room dining, and future F&B concepts while ensuring exceptional guest experiences, operational excellence, and commercial performance.

The ideal candidate is a passionate culinary leader with extensive experience in luxury lifestyle hotels and internationally acclaimed standalone restaurants. They possess a strong European culinary foundation complemented by an understanding of regional Middle Eastern tastes and dining preferences. The Executive Chef will be instrumental in developing innovative dining concepts that establish voco Monaco as one of Dubai's leading lifestyle destinations.

This role requires an individual who thrives in fast-paced environments, embraces creativity, develops high-performing culinary teams, and consistently delivers exceptional quality while maintaining strong financial discipline.

Key Responsibilities

Culinary Leadership

• Develop and execute the overall culinary strategy across all dining venues.
• Drive culinary innovation while maintaining consistency and exceptional quality.
• Design seasonal menus and dining experiences aligned with international food trends.
• Ensure every outlet has a unique identity and guest proposition.
• Lead menu engineering to maximise profitability while enhancing guest satisfaction.
• Maintain the highest standards of food presentation and product quality.
• Lead the culinary development of new restaurant concepts and future F&B projects.
• Collaborate with ownership and executive leadership on restaurant positioning.
• Develop signature dishes and unique culinary experiences.
• Introduce experiential dining concepts that complement Monaco's lifestyle positioning.
• Work closely with marketing and operations on restaurant launches and promotions.

Operations

• Oversee all kitchen operations including:
• Restaurants
• Bars
• Pool Operations
• In-Room Dining
• Staff Dining
• Ensure compliance with all food safety and hygiene standards.
• Drive operational efficiencies and kitchen productivity.
• Maintain equipment and kitchen infrastructure in collaboration with Engineering.
• Achieve food cost targets.
• Reduce food waste through effective planning and inventory management.
• Develop supplier relationships that ensure premium quality ingredients while maintaining cost efficiency.
• Work with procurement to source fresh seafood and farm-direct produce wherever commercially viable.
• Deliver departmental budget and profitability targets.
• Recruit, mentor and develop a world‑class culinary brigade.
• Build a culture of creativity, accountability and continuous learning.
• Coach future culinary leaders through structured development plans.
• Conduct regular performance reviews.
• Foster collaboration between kitchen and front‑of‑house teams.

Guest Experience

• Personally engage with guests and VIPs.
• Respond proactively to guest feedback.
• Create memorable dining experiences that encourage repeat visitation.
• Support hotel events and activations through bespoke culinary offerings.

Health & Safety

• Ensure full HACCP compliance.
• Maintain impeccable hygiene standards.
• Lead food safety audits.
• Ensure compliance with UAE regulations and IHG brand requirements.

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of progressive culinary leadership experience.
• Previous Executive Chef or Executive Sous Chef experience in luxury lifestyle hotels.
• Strong background in internationally recognized standalone restaurants.
• Experience opening or repositioning restaurants is highly desirable.
• Proven success leading multiple restaurant concepts simultaneously.

Culinary Background

Strong preference for chefs with experience in internationally recognised restaurant groups such as:

• Bagatelle
• Coya
• Gaia
• Cipriani

Michelin-starred restaurant experience is highly regarded.

Cuisine Expertise

• Strong European culinary foundation.
• Italian and French cuisine experience.
• Contemporary international cuisine.
• Understanding of regional Middle Eastern and Gulf dining preferences.
• Strong seafood knowledge.
• Experience with premium steaks, grills and live cooking concepts.
• Inspirational leadership style.
• Commercially minded.
• Strong business acumen.
• Exceptional organisational skills.
• High emotional intelligence.
• Creative and innovative thinker.
• Calm under pressure.
• Hands‑on operational leader.
• Excellent communication and coaching skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Culinary Degree or equivalent professional qualification.
• HACCP certification.
• Food Safety certification.
• Experience within luxury international hotel brands.