Executive Chef - LXR Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi (Pre-Opening)

Hilton; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A global hospitality company is seeking an Executive Chef to oversee all kitchen operations in Abu Dhabi. The ideal candidate should have significant experience in a first-class property, excellent leadership skills, and a creative approach to the culinary arts. Responsibilities include managing the kitchen brigade, budgeting, and ensuring high-quality food production. Join a dedicated team focused on providing exceptional guest experiences.

Qualifications

• Previous experience as an Executive Chef or high-performing Executive Sous Chef in a first-class property.
• Proficient in managing a hotel kitchen and improving gross profit margins.
• Ability to maintain relationships with guests and team members.

Responsibilities

• Lead the kitchen brigade and ensure the development of team members.
• Create menus that meet customer needs and conform to brand standards.
• Manage all aspects of the kitchen operations, including budgeting and resource planning.

Skills

Leadership skills

Creative food production

Communication skills

Planning and organizational skills

Multi-tasking abilities

Education

Trade qualification

Certification in management

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

LXR Hotels & Resorts is a collection of independent, luxury properties that celebrate the unique character of each destination. Every hotel in the LXR portfolio offers a bespoke experience, combining authentic service with refined elegance and cultural richness. At LXR, we believe in creating unforgettable moments for our guests—and extraordinary opportunities for our team members.

An Executive Chef will build a reputation for the hotel by maintaining a talented and creative kitchen brigade, offering an innovation menu, and promising an exceptional culinary experience.

What will I be doing?

As Executive Chef, you are fully responsible for developing the reputation of the hotel through the production of excellent quality food throughout the hotel, and the development of a high quality kitchen brigade. An Executive Chef will oversee the operational management of the kitchen and Team Members. Specifically, an Executive Chef will perform the following tasks to the highest standards:

• Lead of the kitchen brigade and ensure ongoing development of Team Members
• Identify an effective approach to succession planning
• Create menus that meet and exceed customers' needs and conform to brand standards
• Ensure the consistent production of high quality food through all hotel food outlets
• Develop positive customer relations through proactive interaction with Guests, Team Members, contractors, and suppliers
• Resolve, promptly and completely, any issues that may arise in the kitchen or related areas among Guests and Team Members
• Manage department operations, including budgeting, forecasting, resource planning, and waste management
• Manage all aspects of the kitchen including operational, quality and administrative functions
• Actively seek verbal feedback from customers on a regular basis and respond to all guest queries in a timely and efficient manner
• Ensuring adequate resources are available according to business needs
• Manage the provision of food to Food and Beverage outlets and taking action where necessary to ensure compliance with current legislation
• Control costs without compromising standards, improving gross profit margins and other departmental and financial targets
• Ensure team members have an up-to-date knowledge of menu items, special promotions, functions and events
• Maintain good communication and work relationships in all hotel areas
• Ensure that staffing levels are maintained to cover business demands
• Ensure monthly communication meetings are conducted and post-meeting minutes generated
• Manage staff performance issues in compliance with company policies and procedures
• Recruit, manage, train and develop the kitchen team
• Comply with hotel security, fire regulations and all health and safety and food safety legislation
• Ensure maintenance, hygiene and hazard issues are dealt with in a timely manner
• Manage financial performance of the department so all planning is in line with hotel objectives
• Manage food control systems are adhered to them so margins are on target in a pro-active way
• Regular review of all menus with Food and Beverage manager to confirm offerings are in line with market trends
• Be environmentally aware
• Ensure food wastage program is adhered to so that margins are on target
• Responsible for ensuring that the monthly working schedules are made and maintained in accordance with local legislation

What are we looking for?

An Executive Chef serving Hilton brands is always working on behalf of our Guests and working with other Team Members. To successfully fill this role, you should maintain the attitude, behaviours, skills, and values that follow:

• Previous, relevant experience as an Executive Chef or a high-performing Executive Sous Chef in a first class property required
• Excellent leadership skills
• A creative approach to the production of high quality food
• A business focused approach to managing a hotel kitchen
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to build relationships, internal and external, to the hotel and the Company
• Excellent planning and organizational skills
• Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines
• A current, valid, and relevant trade qualification (proof may be required)
• Proficiency with computers and computer programs, including Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook

It would be advantageous in this position for you to demonstrate the following capabilities and distinctions:

• A certification in management

What will it be like to work for Hilton?

Hilton is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For over a century, Hilton has offered business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. Hilton is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Our vision “to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality” unites us as a team to create remarkable hospitality experiences around the world every day. And, our amazing Team Members are at the heart of it all!