Executive Chef

Jebel Ali International Hotels L.L.C; Hatta; On-site; AED 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

JA Hatta Fort Hotel invites an inspiring Executive Chef to lead the culinary team and elevate dining experiences in the stunning Hatta Mountains. You will shape the culinary direction, drive guest satisfaction, and develop talent while maintaining brand standards across all outlets.

You will oversee operations, manage costs, and deliver innovative menus that reflect guest preferences and market trends, ensuring exceptional quality and presentation at every service.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of culinary experience.
• 4+ years in a luxury 5-star hotel environment.
• Proven leadership of large culinary teams.
• Strong menu development and food innovation capabilities.
• Advanced English communication skills, both written and verbal.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee all culinary operations across outlets and events.
• Ensure highest standards of food quality, presentation and consistency.
• Develop innovative menus reflecting guest preferences and brand style.
• Champion creativity while maintaining operational excellence and cost control.
• Recruit, mentor and develop a high-performing culinary team.
• Drive guest satisfaction and memorable dining experiences.

Skills

Leadership

Menu development

Food quality

Financial awareness

English communication

Team development

Education

Culinary School Degree

Culinary Diploma or Certificate

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Executive Chef

JA Hatta Fort Hotel

Be the Driving Force Behind Our Culinary Journey

At JA Hatta Fort Hotel, every menu tells a story, every dish creates a memory, and every meal is an opportunity to connect with our guests. We're looking for an inspiring Executive Chef to lead our culinary team, elevate our dining experiences, and continue building a culture where people and creativity thrive.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the Hajar Mountains, this is an opportunity to shape the culinary direction of one of the UAE's most unique destination hotels while leading a team committed to excellence.

If you're a passionate culinary leader who thrives on innovation, quality, and developing talent, we invite you to join a team that is Fresh, Warm and Real, while always Giving Our All.

Your Impact

As Executive Chef, you will oversee all culinary operations across the hotel, ensuring every dish reflects the highest standards of quality, consistency, and presentation.

You will drive guest satisfaction, business performance, culinary innovation, and team development while delivering memorable dining experiences that exceed expectations.

What You'll Do

Culinary Leadership

• Lead and oversee all culinary operations across restaurants, bars, banquets, in-room dining, and special events
• Ensure the highest standards of food quality, preparation, presentation, and consistency
• Develop innovative menus that reflect guest preferences, market trends, and the unique character of JA Hatta Fort Hotel
• Champion creativity while maintaining operational excellence and brand standards

Guest Experience

• Ensure guest expectations are consistently met and exceeded
• Oversee the smooth production and delivery of food across all outlets
• Partner with operational teams to create memorable dining experiences
• Respond proactively to guest feedback and evolving market trends

People Leadership

• Recruit, mentor, and develop a high-performing culinary team
• Create a culture of accountability, teamwork, continuous learning, and excellence
• Inspire and empower your team to reach their fullest potential
• Identify and develop future culinary leaders within the business

Business & Financial Performance

• Manage food costs, labour costs, and operational expenses in line with budgets and financial objectives
• Maximise productivity while maintaining exceptional quality standards
• Monitor purchasing, inventory management, and supplier relationships
• Deliver strong financial performance while enhancing the guest experience

Compliance & Standards

• Ensure compliance with all food safety, hygiene, and sanitation standards
• Uphold HACCP requirements and company policies
• Maintain a safe and well‑organised kitchen environment

What We're Looking For

Education

• Culinary School Degree with a minimum three‑year certification

Qualifications

• Certificate in Food Production or Culinary Diploma
• Basic and Intermediate Hygiene Certification (Required)
• Advanced Hygiene Certification (Preferred)

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of culinary experience
• At least 4 years' experience within a luxury 5-star hotel environment
• Minimum 5 years' experience in a similar Executive Chef role

Skills

• Strong leadership and team development capabilities
• Proven experience managing multiple culinary outlets and large kitchen operations
• Strong financial and commercial awareness
• Menu development and culinary innovation expertise
• Intermediate Microsoft Office skills
• Advanced English communication skills, both written and verbal

Ideal Candidate Profile

We're looking for a leader who brings:

• A passion for culinary excellence and genuine hospitality
• The ability to inspire, coach, and develop high‑performing teams
• Strong menu development and food innovation experience
• A hands‑on leadership style with exceptional attention to detail
• A commercial mindset balanced with creativity and quality
• A commitment to creating memorable dining experiences for every guest

Why Join JA?

At JA, we believe great experiences are created when talented people are empowered to do their best work. This is an opportunity to lead, influence, and make your mark while working in one of the UAE's most distinctive resort destinations.

Fresh. Warm. Real.

That's how we welcome our guests. That's how we support our colleagues. That's who we are.

Giving Our All.

Every guest. Every colleague. Every day.

#FreshWarmReal #GivingOurAll #JACareers #JAHattaFortHotel #ExecutiveChef #CulinaryLeadership #HospitalityCareers #LifeAtJA #JoinOurTeam #LeadWithPassion