Head Chef

Mama-Shelter; Dubai; On-site; AED 257,000 - 404,000; Full time

Job summary

Mama Shelter is seeking a Head Chef for our Dubai kitchen to lead the culinary team and deliver menus with personality and consistency. You will oversee daily operations, ensure food safety, control costs, and mentor the team in a fast-paced environment.

We value creativity, collaboration, and a hands-on leadership style as you bring Mama’s distinctive vibe to our guests while upholding high standards of hospitality and service.

Qualifications

• Lead with strong leadership and team-building under pressure.
• Maintain high standards of quality and consistency in food.
• Monitor food costs, wastage, portions, and stock management.
• Identify and solve problems quickly to keep operations smooth.
• Stay curious about trends and continuously improve kitchen practices.
• Foster teamwork and a positive, respectful kitchen culture.
• Demonstrate reliability, consistency, and strong guest engagement.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Kitchen: Take charge of daily kitchen operations, ensuring smooth, efficient, and organized food production and service.
• Inspire the Culinary Gang: Lead, motivate, coach, and develop the team while creating a positive, respectful, and collaborative kitchen culture.
• Be the Quality Guardian: Conduct regular quality checks and take action when something isn’t quite up to Mama’s standards.
• Keep Costs in Check: Monitor food costs, portion control, stock, wastage, and product usage while supporting the kitchen’s financial goals.
• Food Safety First: Maintain top standards of hygiene, sanitation, HACCP, food safety, and safe food handling across the kitchen.
• Keep the Kitchen Running: Ensure equipment, storage areas, fridges, freezers, and food products are properly maintained, organized, and handled.
• Grow the Team: Provide hands-on training, coaching, and guidance to help every culinary Gang member develop and shine.
• Bring the Creativity: Stay curious about culinary trends, techniques, and new ideas and bring fresh inspiration into Mama’s kitchen.
• Be the MAMA Spirit: Promote teamwork, accountability, creativity, respect, and good vibes while supporting the Executive Sous Chef and the wider F&B team.

Skills

Leadership

Pressure management

Quality focus

Food cost control

Problem solving

Continuous learning

Teamwork

Job description

Founded in 2008 by Serge Trigano and his sons Jérémie and Benjamin (co-founders of Club Med), Mama Shelter is a creator of living spaces and a daily director!

These are atypical places, where everyone feels at home, places born of a blend of influences, freedoms, sensations and emotions. Each Mama tells the story of the city in which it is located, and all influences blend together. We offer our guests a joyful atmosphere and exceptional service at an affordable price.

More than just rooms and restaurants, Mama Shelter is a dynamic, a vibe: they are true urban refuges, not only aesthetically pleasing and modern but also popular, welcoming and sexy.

Whatever your role, we're all here to make the customer experience as unforgettable as possible.

Our mission: to bring little moments of happiness to people.

Our growth has enabled us to offer our teams great career paths through internal development and international mobility, and it's not a question of diplomas or years of experience.

Mama Shelter is part of Ennismore, a creative hotel group rooted in cultures and destinations, with a global portfolio of brands. Ennismore is a joint venture with Accor, founded in 2021.

Job Description

Bring your culinary passion, leadership, and creative energy to Mama Shelter Dubai! As our Head Chef, you’ll lead the kitchen, inspire the culinary Gang, and make sure every plate leaving Mama’s kitchen is delicious, consistent, and full of personality. Let’s cook up something amazing together!

THE MISSION?

• Lead the Kitchen: Take charge of daily kitchen operations, ensuring smooth, efficient, and organized food production and service.
• Inspire the Culinary Gang: Lead, motivate, coach, and develop the team while creating a positive, respectful, and collaborative kitchen culture.
• Be the Quality Guardian: Conduct regular quality checks and take action when something isn’t quite up to Mama’s standards.
• Keep Costs in Check: Monitor food costs, portion control, stock, wastage, and product usage while supporting the kitchen’s financial goals.
• Food Safety First: Maintain top standards of hygiene, sanitation, HACCP, food safety, and safe food handling across the kitchen.
• Keep the Kitchen Running: Ensure equipment, storage areas, fridges, freezers, and food products are properly maintained, organized, and handled.
• Grow the Team: Provide hands-on training, coaching, and guidance to help every culinary Gang member develop and shine.
• Bring the Creativity: Stay curious about culinary trends, techniques, and new ideas and bring fresh inspiration into Mama’s kitchen.
• Be the MAMA Spirit: Promote teamwork, accountability, creativity, respect, and good vibes while supporting the Executive Sous Chef and the wider F&B team.

Qualifications

• You thrive under pressure: A busy kitchen doesn’t scare you. You know how to stay focused, organized, and cool when the heat is on.
• You’re a natural leader: You know how to bring people together, set the standard, and get the best out of your team.
• Quality is your obsession: From the first prep to the final plate, you never compromise on standards.
• You understand the numbers: Food cost, wastage, portion control, and stock management are part of your culinary toolkit.
• You’re a problem solver: When things don’t go to plan, you find solutions quickly and keep the operation moving.
• You’re always learning: You stay curious, explore new culinary ideas, and are always looking for ways to make Mama’s kitchen better.
• You’re all about teamwork: You believe the best kitchens are built on trust, respect, communication, and a little bit of fun..

Additional Information

YOUR LITTLE EXTRAS:

• You’re reliable and consistent: When you say you’ll deliver, you always follow through.
• You’re a people person: Guests and teammates love your positive, approachable vibe.
• You build connections: You take time to know your guests, creating lasting impressions.
• You light up the room: Your energy lifts everyone around you, making work a joy.
• You’re all about the team: From supporting your colleagues to creating a family-like atmosphere, you make it happen.