Head Chef - InterContinental Abu Dhabi

Nestled in the heart of Abu Dhabi, the InterContinental Abu Dhabi is a luxurious 5-star hotel offering guests an exceptional experience, blending modern sophistication with traditional elegance. Our Italian Restaurant is renowned for its authentic flavors, high-quality ingredients, and warm ambiance. We are seeking a talented and passionate Head Chef to lead our culinary team and elevate the dining experience to new heights.

As the Head Chef, you will be responsible for overseeing all kitchen operations, ensuring the delivery of high-quality Italian dishes, managing the culinary team, and maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness, organization, and food safety. You will also be involved in menu planning, food costing, staff training, and ensuring that every guest has an unforgettable dining experience.

A little taste of your day-to-day:

• Lead, inspire, and manage the kitchen brigade, ensuring smooth daily operations.
• Develop and design innovative and seasonal Italian menus, in line with the restaurant's concept.
• Ensure the highest level of food quality and presentation for every dish served.
• Monitor food preparation, cooking, and presentation, maintaining consistency across all dishes.
• Train, mentor, and develop kitchen staff, fostering a culture of excellence and teamwork.
• Maintain budget control by managing food costs, waste, and inventory.
• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and hygiene standards.
• Collaborate with the management team to create seasonal specials and promotions.
• Foster a positive working environment that encourages creativity, innovation, and a passion for Italian cuisine.

What we need from you:

• Proven experience as a Head Chef or Sous Chef in a fine dining or upscale restaurant, preferably with an emphasis on Italian cuisine.
• Strong knowledge of Italian culinary traditions, techniques, and ingredients.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage a team and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional organizational and time-management abilities.
• High standards of cleanliness and food safety practices.
• Fluency in English; proficiency in Italian is a plus.
• Culinary Degree or equivalent professional training is preferred.

What you can expect from us:

We give our people everything they need to succeed. From a competitive salary that rewards all your hard work to a wide range of benefits designed to help you live your best work life – including a full uniform, impressive room discounts and some of the best training in the business.

Our mission is to welcome everyone and create inclusive teams where we celebrate difference and encourage colleagues to bring their whole selves to work. IHG Hotels & Resorts provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability. We promote a culture of trust, support, and acceptance. Always welcoming different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

So, join us and you’ll become part of our ever-growing global family.

Don't quite meet every single requirement, but still believe you'd be a great fit for the job? We'll never know unless you hit the 'Apply' button. Start your journey with us today.