Executive Chef - European / Western culinary background

Cornerstone Global Partners (CGP Group); Dubai; On-site; AED 197,000 - 394,000; Full time

Job summary

CGP Group is seeking a Head Chef/Executive Chef to lead a casual-dining concept with four existing outlets. A European/Western culinary background is essential, and the role focuses on growing the business through menu engineering, cost control, and strong leadership.

Based in Shanghai, you will oversee kitchen operations across outlets and guide expansion initiatives, including future openings in international markets.

Qualifications

• 8–10 years of culinary experience with substantial Western cuisine and casual dining background.
• Proven track record as Head Chef, Executive Chef, Group Chef, or senior culinary leader.
• Experience managing kitchen operations across multiple restaurant outlets.
• Strong expertise in menu engineering, recipe standardization, food costing, and kitchen profitability.

Responsibilities

• Lead kitchen operations across four existing outlets.
• Drive menu engineering, standardization, and cost control for profitability.
• Oversee expansion projects and pre-opening initiatives for new outlets.
• Provide strong leadership, team development, and effective communication.

Skills

Leadership

Kitchen operations

Menu engineering

Food costing

Multi-outlet management

Growth expansion

Job description

Head Chef / Executive Chef

European / Western culinary background.

Location: China, Shanghai.

Focusing on casual dining operations, leadership of four existing outlets, and the upcoming expansion into Tokyo.

Requirements

• Minimum 8–10 years of culinary experience, with substantial experience in Western cuisine and casual dining.
• Proven experience as a Head Chef, Executive Chef, Group Chef, or equivalent senior culinary leader.
• Demonstrated experience managing kitchen operations across multiple restaurant outlets.
• Strong expertise in menu engineering, recipe standardization, food costing, and kitchen profitability.
• Experience launching new restaurants or supporting restaurant expansion projects.
• Strong leadership, team management, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Commercially minded, hands-on, and capable of balancing culinary creativity with operational efficiency.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, growth-oriented restaurant business.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with an expanding restaurant brand or multi-outlet casual dining group. Previous experience opening restaurants in international markets.
• Exposure to the Japanese market or experience adapting menus for Japanese customers.
• Experience in kitchen setup, supplier sourcing, and pre-opening operations.

CGP Group is an affirmative equal-opportunity employer and recruitment firm. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. Information provided in this advertisement is for recruitment purposes only.