Head of Culinary Ops – Multi-Unit (Fast-Casual, UAE)

The Career Nest; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Duty meals

Annual flight allowance

Visa & relocation support

Job summary

The Career Nest is seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead our flavour-first fast-casual concept across Abu Dhabi locations and future openings. You will own menu direction, ensure consistency across lunch, delivery, and new openings, and collaborate closely with the founder.

You will excel in proteins, vegetables, dressings, and sauces, manage central kitchen collaboration, training, food cost control, and uphold food safety. Strong English communication and practical leadership are essential.

Qualifications

• Lead menu refinement and signature dish development.
• Partner with central kitchen on batch recipes, yields and prep schedules.
• Ensure dishes hold up in busy service, delivery and new openings.
• Strong English communication and collaborative leadership.

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

Head Chef experience

Menu development

Leadership

Food cost control

Multi-site operations

Fast-casual

Job description

The Career Nest is seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead our flavour-first fast-casual concept across Abu Dhabi locations and future openings. You will own menu direction, ensure consistency across lunch, delivery, and new openings, and collaborate closely with the founder.

You will excel in proteins, vegetables, dressings, and sauces, manage central kitchen collaboration, training, food cost control, and uphold food safety. Strong English communication and practical leadership are essential.