Senior Head Chef – Innovative Bowl & Grill Concept

Career Nest Academy; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 335,000 - 670,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Duty Meals

Flight Allowance

Visa & Relocation Support

Job summary

Career Nest Academy in the UAE is seeking a Head Chef to set and maintain the food quality across multiple locations. You will lead the culinary team, shape the menu and ensure consistency between in-restaurant, delivery and upcoming openings.

With strong expertise in proteins, vegetables, salads and sauces, you will drive batch recipes, prep schedules and training while maintaining food safety and cost controls. A fast-casual, multi-site background is highly valued.

Qualifications

• Experience leading culinary teams with accountability for quality and consistency.
• Strong command of kitchen operations across multiple sites or central kitchens.
• Experience with batch recipes, yields, portioning and prep schedules.

Responsibilities

• Audit and refine the existing menu and develop signature dishes.
• Collaborate with central kitchen on batch recipes, yields and prep schedules.
• Decide what is prepared centrally and how it is stored, transported and finished at outlets.
• Ensure dishes hold up in busy service, takeaway and delivery.
• Create recipe cards, preparation guides and training for teams.
• Control food cost, portions, wastage, food safety and allergens.
• Lead culinary readiness for flagship openings and future rollouts.

Skills

Head Chef experience

Leadership

English communication

Food cost control

Wood-fire cooking

Job description

A growing, flavour-led fast-casual concept in the UAE, built around fresh ingredients, bowls, grilled proteins, vegetables, salads and house-made sauces. Restaurants in Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah, a flagship opening in Abu Dhabi, and more to follow.

This is a brand role rather than a single kitchen. You set the food for every location and make sure it tastes the same on a busy lunch service, on a delivery order and in a restaurant that has not opened yet. You report directly to the founder and shape the menu as the concept grows.

What the role covers

• 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

What we're looking for

• An experienced Head Chef, or an exceptional Senior Sous Chef ready for broader responsibility
• Real 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
• Practical, collaborative leadership and genuine openness to feedback
• Strong English communication

The package

• Competitive tax-free salary, all-inclusive
• Medical insurance and duty meals
• Annual flight ticket allowance
• Employment visa and relocation support for overseas candidates