Head Chef: Japanese / Italian

SIHAMCO; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 60,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading culinary group is seeking an experienced Head Chef specializing in Japanese and Italian cuisine to lead the team at a new restaurant concept. Responsibilities include managing daily kitchen operations, mentoring staff, and ensuring exceptional culinary standards. The ideal candidate will have 5–7 years of experience, including at least 3 years as a Head Chef in fine dining. Competitive salary and benefits provided, including health insurance and accommodation.

Benefits

Competitive salary packages

Health insurance

Accommodation provided

Transportation allowance

Career development opportunities

Cultural diversity within the team

Qualifications

• Minimum 5–7 years of culinary experience, with at least 3 years as Head Chef.
• Strong leadership and kitchen management skills.
• Experience in high-end restaurants.
• Familiar with HACCP and Saudi food safety standards.
• Proven experience in material control and inventory management.

Responsibilities

• Lead the kitchen team in daily operations.
• Train and mentor chefs and kitchen staff.
• Execute full menu engineering and costing.
• Collaborate on seasonal specials and events.
• Maintain a clean and organized kitchen.
• Monitor guest satisfaction and implement improvements.

Skills

Leadership

Kitchen management

Culinary expertise in Japanese cuisine

Culinary expertise in Italian cuisine

English speaking

Tools

Oracle Simphony

Oracle Hospitality Materials Control

Job description

Job Summary We are seeking an experienced and passionate Head Chef specializing in Japanese/Italian cuisine to lead the culinary team at our upcoming concept at The Groves Chapter IV for Riyadh Season (Saudi Arabia). This restaurant showcases modern Japanese cuisine whilst staying true to Italian culinary artistry , creating a refined and innovative dining experience. As Head Chef, you will be responsible leading kitchen operations, managing a multicultural team, and delivering exceptional culinary standards. You will work closely with the creative, operations, and procurement teams to ensure authenticity, consistency, and innovation in every dish served.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the kitchen team in daily operations, maintaining the highest standards of quality, hygiene, and food safety.
• Train and mentor chefs and kitchen staff on traditional cooking techniques and plating & presentation standards.
• Execute full menu engineering & costing, portion control, and recipe standardization aligned with the project’s financial targets.
• Collaborate with management and procurement teams on seasonal specials, events, and high-profile guest experiences.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and inspiring kitchen environment.
• Monitor guest satisfaction and implement improvements based on feedback.
• Ensure authentic preparation methods and top-quality ingredients.
• Utilize Oracle Simphony and its Materials Control module to manage inventory, ensuring optimal stock levels and minimizing waste.
• Coordinate procurement and real-time inventory tracking through Oracle Hospitality Materials Control integrated with Simphony POS to support seamless kitchen operations.

Benefits

• Opportunity to lead the founding team launching a new in-house Persian restaurant concept by SIHAMCO - a first within The Groves' Portfolio.
• Competitive salary packages – aligned with market standards and experience.
• Health insurance, accommodation provided and transportation allowance.
• Career development & Internal promotions – grow with us across departments and seasons.
• Creative & collaborative work culture – built on passion, innovation, and attention to detail.
• Exposure to high-end hospitality & entertainment concepts – gain experience in premium F&B and entertainment.
• Experience working on premium events within The Groves, Riyadh Season.
• Cultural diversity – join a team of passionate professionals from around the world.

About The Company

SIHAMCO is a strategic partner operating proudly under the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), National Events Center (NEC), Riyadh Season and Jeddah Season since 2019. At SIHAMCO, we don’t just lead Saudi Arabia’s hospitality and entertainment evolution—we create it from the ground up. Since 2008, we’ve been designing, constructing, and operating exceptional experiences that blend local authenticity with global standards. Every destination and concept we launch reflects our commitment to cultural storytelling, creative excellence, and operational precision. Crafting a Homegrown Legacy All brands under SIHAMCO are homegrown Saudi concepts, fully developed in-house — from initial vision and brand identity to concept creation, design, execution and operation. We don’t import ideas; we build them — crafting unforgettable experiences from scratch that resonate deeply with both local and international audiences. Our Signature Brands Every brand under our umbrella is proudly reflecting the heart and soul of Saudi culture, while achieving international acclaim. With over 25 original homegrown brands, SIHAMCO not only sets — but consistently surpasses — global standards in Entertainment, Hospitality, F&B, Lifestyle, Wellness, Family & Pet Entertainment Experience. Our signature ventures: The Groves, ZodiaC Cuisine, Little Krazy, LucaLand, LucaPark, The Polar Ice Bar, Milk & Butter Nail Spa, Kooz Karak, Birds of Eden, El Lechazo, Khawaja Yanni, Zama Zulu, Hawanim Groves City, Vida Vera, The Groves Pizzeria and Gem-In-I showcase what it means to innovate locally and shine globally. Our brands are also registered across the GCC and internationally such as the United Kingdom, Egypt, Morocco etc ensuring full legal protection and readiness for global expansion. We Are Only Getting Started! Several exciting new concepts and brands are currently under development, with launches planned in the coming months. From bold new ideas to thoughtfully crafted experiences, SIHAMCO continues to grow its portfolio with originality, creativity and cultural pride. People First Our team is our greatest asset—a dynamic mix of local talent and international expertise, all united by a passion for excellence. We nurture careers, encourage creativity, and build leaders. Join Us Whether you’re an emerging talent or a seasoned professional, SIHAMCO offers a platform to grow, create, and shape history. Each concept we launch is a new chapter in a legacy that belongs to Saudi Arabia and speaks to the world.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5–7 years of culinary experience, with at least 3 years as Head Chef specialized in Japanese and Italian cuisine in fine dining restaurants.
• Strong leadership and kitchen management skills.
• Previous experience in high-end restaurants.
• English speaking is required.
• Familiar with HACCP and Saudi food safety standards.
• Proven experience in material control and inventory management within a high-volume kitchen environment.
• Proficiency with Oracle Simphony and Oracle Hospitality Materials Control for procurement, stock-level monitoring, and reporting.