Team Leader - Chef Culinary

Dubai Holding; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Career development opportunities

Creative work environment

Equal opportunity employer

Job summary

Dubai Holding Entertainment in Dubai seeks a Team Leader – Chef Culinary to guide a busy kitchen at Motiongate Dubai, delivering exceptional quality and guest experiences.

You will oversee day-to-day operations, lead junior cooks, ensure recipes, portions, and food safety standards, and contribute to cost control and waste reduction. Experience in fast-paced hospitality and HACCP is required; willingness to work shifts and weekends is expected.

Qualifications

• High school qualification and formal culinary training.
• Basic Food Hygiene Certification.
• 2–3 years' experience in fast-food, quick-service restaurant, hospitality, or high-volume food production.
• Experience supervising or mentoring junior kitchen staff.
• Strong knowledge of food preparation techniques, recipes, cooking methods, and kitchen operations.
• Understanding of HACCP principles, food safety standards, and hygiene regulations.
• Excellent communication and teamwork in a multicultural environment.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize tasks during busy service periods.
• Customer-focused mindset with commitment to delivering exceptional quality and service.
• Flexible to work shifts, weekends, public holidays, and outdoor venues when required.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day operation of your assigned kitchen section, ensuring smooth preparation, mise en place, and service delivery.
• Prepare and present food to the highest standards of quality, consistency, and food safety.
• Lead, coach, and support junior culinary team members, fostering a positive and productive team environment.
• Ensure recipes, portion sizes, presentation standards, and production requirements are followed consistently.
• Support stock control activities, including food requisitions, stock rotation, storage management, and waste reduction.
• Monitor food quality, freshness, and production standards while maintaining efficient kitchen operations.
• Assist in managing operational costs through effective resource utilisation and team productivity.
• Conduct routine checks on kitchen equipment and report maintenance requirements promptly.
• Maintain accurate records relating to food quality, wastage, spoilage, and operational compliance.
• Champion HACCP standards, food hygiene practices, and workplace health and safety requirements at all times.
• Work closely with culinary and Food & Beverage teams to ensure outstanding guest satisfaction.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and operational requirements across the business as needed.

Skills

Team leadership

Communication

Organizational skills

Customer focus

Multicultural teamwork

Education

High School qualification

Formal culinary training / kitchen apprenticeship

Basic Food Hygiene Certification

Job description

About Dubai Holding Entertainment

Dubai Holding Entertainment offers an impressive range of destinations and attractions that enhance the appeal and competitiveness of Dubai as an international tourism and leisure hub, with the added value of the quality of the facilities and the high standards of training, supervision, and security. Ain Dubai, Global Village, Dubai Parks and Resorts™, Coca-Cola Arena, Roxy Cinemas, The Green Planet, Arabian Radio Network (ARN) and MPN by Dubai Holding Entertainment are among the leading destinations and brands that form part of its diverse portfolio.

About the Role

We are looking for a passionate and driven Team Leader – Chef Culinary to join our Food & Beverage team at Motiongate Dubai. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced culinary professional to lead a kitchen section, deliver exceptional food quality, and contribute to memorable guest experiences in one of the region’s leading entertainment destinations. In this role, you will:

• Oversee the day-to-day operation of your assigned kitchen section, ensuring smooth preparation, mise en place, and service delivery.
• Prepare and present food to the highest standards of quality, consistency, and food safety.
• Lead, coach, and support junior culinary team members, fostering a positive and productive team environment.
• Ensure recipes, portion sizes, presentation standards, and production requirements are followed consistently.
• Support stock control activities, including food requisitions, stock rotation, storage management, and waste reduction.
• Monitor food quality, freshness, and production standards while maintaining efficient kitchen operations.
• Assist in managing operational costs through effective resource utilisation and team productivity.
• Conduct routine checks on kitchen equipment and report maintenance requirements promptly.
• Maintain accurate records relating to food quality, wastage, spoilage, and operational compliance.
• Champion HACCP standards, food hygiene practices, and workplace health and safety requirements at all times.
• Work closely with culinary and Food & Beverage teams to ensure outstanding guest satisfaction.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and operational requirements across the business as needed.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will be a motivated culinary professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys working as part of a diverse team. You will bring:

• A High School qualification and formal culinary training, kitchen apprenticeship, or chef training certification.
• Basic Food Hygiene Certification.
• A minimum of 2 to 3 years’ experience within a fast-food, quick-service restaurant, hospitality, or high-volume food production environment.
• Previous experience supervising or mentoring junior kitchen team members.
• Strong knowledge of food preparation techniques, recipes, cooking methods, and kitchen operations.
• A sound understanding of HACCP principles, food safety standards, and hygiene regulations.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise tasks during busy service periods.
• A customer-focused mindset with a commitment to delivering exceptional quality and service.
• Flexibility to work shifts, weekends, public holidays, and outdoor venues when required by business needs.

Candidates with experience in theme parks, entertainment venues, quick-service restaurants, or high-volume hospitality operations will be highly regarded.

About the Benefits

In the world of entertainment, Dubai Holding Entertainment is dedicated to nurturing the talents and well-being of our team members. Join our dynamic and diverse workforce to enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes competitive compensation, exciting career development opportunities, and a collaborative and creative work environment. We strongly believe in empowering our workforce, as they play a pivotal role in shaping unforgettable entertainment experiences for tomorrow. We are committed to attracting the brightest minds and nurturing the most innovative candidates who aspire to make a significant impact on the future of the entertainment industry in Dubai. At Dubai Holding Entertainment, we embrace equal opportunity and promote a discrimination-free environment where everyone's unique talents and contributions are celebrated. Join us in crafting a thrilling and extraordinary tomorrow in entertainment!