Head Chef (Lifestyle Restaurant) ID - 35710

NADIA Recruitment & Management Consultants; Dubai; On-site; AED 240,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

NADIA Recruitment & Management Consultants is seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead the culinary operation of a new upscale lifestyle restaurant and premium all-day dining concept in Dubai. The role is to deliver high-quality, approachable food with consistency and exceptional guest experiences, blending culinary excellence with commercial awareness and operational efficiency.

You will supervise breakfast, lunch, coffee and dinner service, develop menus and SOPs, manage food costs, train the

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Head Chef or senior kitchen leader.
• Strong background in upscale lifestyle restaurants and premium all-day dining.
• Experience managing high-volume kitchen operations.
• Proven skills in menu development and kitchen management.
• Experience with food costing, menu engineering and cost control.
• Strong leadership and people-management capabilities.
• Pre-opening experience is a significant advantage.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the complete kitchen operation across breakfast, lunch, coffee and dinner.
• Develop and maintain an approachable, high-quality food offering aligned with the concept.
• Ensure consistency in taste, presentation, portioning and product quality.
• Develop recipes, menus, specifications and kitchen SOPs.
• Manage food costs, wastage, yields and overall kitchen profitability.
• Recruit, train, develop and motivate the kitchen team.
• Establish strong kitchen standards and maintain operational discipline.
• Manage daily preparation, service and kitchen operations.
• Monitor stock levels, ordering and supplier quality.
• Maintain excellent food safety, hygiene and HACCP standards.
• Monitor kitchen performance and drive continuous improvement.
• Work closely with the Restaurant Manager and wider management team to ensure seamless restaurant operations.
• Maintain a clean, organized and efficient kitchen environment.
• Menu development and recipe standardization
• Food costing and menu engineering
• Kitchen setup and operational readiness
• Supplier and product sourcing
• Kitchen SOP development
• Recruitment and team building
• Kitchen trials and mock services
• Staff training and induction
• Establishing kitchen systems and standards
• Preparing the kitchen team for opening and launch operations
• Head Chef will be responsible for creating a strong kitchen culture and supporting the wider pre-opening training programme.

Skills

Head Chef leadership

Upscale dining

Menu development

Food costing

HACCP compliance

Team recruitment

Pre-opening

High-volume kitchen

Job description

Job Summary:

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Head Chef to lead the culinary operation of a new upscale lifestyle restaurant and premium all-day dining concept. The concept is designed as a warm, welcoming destination where guests can return regularly for breakfast, lunch, coffee and dinner. The focus is on delivering high-quality, approachable food, consistency and an exceptional guest experience. We are looking for a chef who understands modern lifestyle dining and can combine culinary excellence with commercial awareness, operational efficiency and strong hospitality.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the complete kitchen operation across breakfast, lunch, coffee and dinner.


• Develop and maintain an approachable, high-quality food offering aligned with the concept.


• Ensure consistency in taste, presentation, portioning and product quality.


• Develop recipes, menus, specifications and kitchen SOPs.


• Manage food costs, wastage, yields and overall kitchen profitability.


• Recruit, train, develop and motivate the kitchen team.


• Establish strong kitchen standards and maintain operational discipline.


• Manage daily preparation, service and kitchen operations.


• Monitor stock levels, ordering and supplier quality.


• Maintain excellent food safety, hygiene and HACCP standards.


• Monitor kitchen performance and drive continuous improvement.


• Work closely with the Restaurant Manager and wider management team to ensure seamless restaurant operations.


• Maintain a clean, organized and efficient kitchen environment.


• Menu development and recipe standardization


• Food costing and menu engineering


• Kitchen setup and operational readiness


• Supplier and product sourcing


• Kitchen SOP development


• Recruitment and team building


• Kitchen trials and mock services


• Staff training and induction


• Establishing kitchen systems and standards


• Preparing the kitchen team for opening and launch operations


• Head Chef will be responsible for creating a strong kitchen culture and supporting the wider pre-opening training programme.

Requirements:

• Proven experience as a Head Chef, Executive Chef, Executive Sous Chef or senior kitchen leader.


• Strong background in upscale lifestyle restaurants, premium all-day dining or high-end casual dining.


• Proven experience managing high-volume kitchen operations.


• Strong culinary, menu development and kitchen management skills.


• Experience with food costing, menu engineering and cost control.


• Strong leadership and people-management capabilities.


• Experience recruiting, training and developing kitchen teams.


• Strong understanding of food safety, hygiene and HACCP standards.


• Excellent organizational, communication and problem-solving skills.


• Commercially aware with a strong understanding of kitchen profitability.


• Ability to maintain quality and consistency under pressure.


• Pre-opening experience is a significant advantage.