Head Chef - Culinary Development & Central Kitchen Lead

Career Nest Academy; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 420,000 - 660,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive tax-free salary

Medical insurance

Annual flight ticket allowance

Visa and relocation support

Job summary

Career Nest Academy in the UAE is seeking an experienced Head Chef or senior sous chef to lead menu development across all locations, ensuring consistent taste from lunch service to delivery and new openings.

You will collaborate with the central kitchen, set batch recipes, prep schedules, storage and transport for each outlet, and train teams to the standards.

The role offers a tax-free salary, medical insurance, flight allowance and visa support for overseas candidates.

Qualifications

• Experienced Head Chef or senior sous chef ready for broader responsibility.
• Strength in proteins, vegetables, salads, dressings, sauces and marinades.
• Experience in fast-casual, multi-site or central-kitchen operations.
• Wood-fire or Josper experience is a strong advantage.
• Strong English communication.

Responsibilities

• Audit and refine the existing menu, keep what works and develop new signature dishes.
• Work hands-on with the central kitchen on batch recipes, yields, portion specifications and preparation schedules.
• Decide what is prepared centrally and how it is stored, transported and finished at each outlet.
• Make sure every dish holds up in busy service, takeaway and delivery.
• Create recipe cards, preparation guides and presentation standards, and train the teams to follow them.
• Control food cost, portions, wastage, food safety and allergen standards.
• Lead culinary readiness for the new flagship, menu launches and future openings.

Skills

Leadership

English communication

Wood-fire cooking

Proteins & vegetables

Central kitchen ops

Multi-site ops

Job description

Career Nest Academy in the UAE is seeking an experienced Head Chef or senior sous chef to lead menu development across all locations, ensuring consistent taste from lunch service to delivery and new openings.

You will collaborate with the central kitchen, set batch recipes, prep schedules, storage and transport for each outlet, and train teams to the standards.

The role offers a tax-free salary, medical insurance, flight allowance and visa support for overseas candidates.