Executive Chef

Recruit Genie; San Antonio Abad; On-site; EUR 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive salary package

Pre-opening project

Creative freedom

Growth opportunities

Diversity & inclusion

Job summary

ZEST Hotel & Resort Ibiza is seeking an Executive Chef to lead culinary vision for Ibiza's new luxury resort opening. You will shape concepts, menus, and a high-performing team across restaurants, bars, pool club, and events.

Reporting to the Director of Food & Beverage, you will establish kitchen infrastructure, recruit talent, ensure HACCP compliance, and drive guest dining experiences while balancing creativity with operational and financial discipline.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership as Executive Chef or senior culinary leader in luxury resort/hospitality.
• Experience managing multiple outlets and pre-opening projects.
• Strong knowledge of Mediterranean cuisine, local sourcing, and trends.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver the overall culinary vision for ZEST Ibiza.
• Create innovative menus blending Mediterranean and Ibicenco influences.
• Lead culinary operations across all outlets and events.
• Recruit and develop a high-performing culinary team.
• Establish kitchen structures, standards, and recipes ahead of opening.
• Collaborate on concept development, pricing, and guest experience.
• Drive food quality, creativity, and presentation standards.
• Manage food costs, labor, purchasing, and budgets.
• Lead seasonal menu development aligned with market trends.
• Embed sustainability and responsible sourcing practices.
• Ensure HACCP, hygiene, and compliance across operations.

Skills

Executive leadership

Culinary vision

Menu development

Food cost management

Team development

HACCP & safety

English/Spanish fluency

Education

Culinary degree or professional qualification

Job description

About ZEST Hotel & Resort Ibiza

ZEST Hotel & Resort is where dynamic energy meets effortless luxury. Designed for those who seek both indulgence and authenticity, we create a space where creativity thrives and every moment is a celebration of the senses. From vibrant days by the pool to elegant evenings under the stars, ZEST pulses with movement, music, and connection. Our approach to luxury is relaxed yet refined, stylish, welcoming, and always inspiring. Here, pleasure is an art, and every stay is an unforgettable experience.

ZEST Hotel & Resort is a new luxury resort in Cap Negret, Ibiza, scheduled to open in April 2027. With 206 rooms and seven villas, destination dining, wellness facilities, and a Beach Club, we are building a team that will bring warm, thoughtful hospitality to every part of the guest experience.

About the Role

Lead the culinary vision behind one of Ibiza's most exciting luxury resort openings.

As we prepare for opening, we are looking for an exceptional Executive Chef to join our Executive Leadership Team and help shape the culinary identity of this landmark resort.

This is an opportunity to do much more than lead a kitchen. We are seeking a culinary leader who can create memorable dining experiences, develop innovative concepts, build an outstanding brigade, and establish a food culture that celebrates the energy, creativity, and natural abundance of Ibiza.

Reporting to the Director of Food & Beverage, the Executive Chef will have overall responsibility for the culinary strategy, food quality, and kitchen operations across the resort.

Working closely with the Food & Beverage leadership team and wider resort stakeholders, you will help define and deliver the culinary vision of ZEST across restaurants, bars, Pool Club, in-room dining, banqueting, and special events. You will play a key role in translating the ZEST brand into exceptional dining experiences while balancing creativity, operational excellence, team development, and commercial performance.

As part of the pre-opening team, you will help establish kitchen infrastructure, recruit and develop the culinary team, create menus and concepts, and ensure operational readiness ahead of launch.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver the overall culinary vision and food strategy for ZEST Hotel & Resort Ibiza.
• Create innovative menus and dining concepts that combine Mediterranean and Ibicenco influences with contemporary international cuisine.
• Champion local, seasonal, and sustainable ingredients, building strong partnerships with Ibizan and Balearic suppliers and producers.
• Lead all culinary operations across restaurants, bars, Pool Club, in-room dining, events, banqueting, and employee dining facilities.
• Recruit, develop, coach, and inspire a high-performing culinary team, creating a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Establish kitchen structures, operational standards, recipes, procedures, and working practices ahead of opening.
• Collaborate closely with the Director of Food & Beverage on concept development, menu engineering, pricing strategies, and guest experience enhancement.
• Drive food quality, consistency, creativity, and presentation standards across all outlets.
• Manage food costs, labor productivity, purchasing, inventory controls, and departmental budgets to achieve financial objectives.
• Lead seasonal menu development and adapt offerings to reflect market trends, guest preferences, and Ibiza's operating seasons.
• Embed sustainability, responsible sourcing, waste reduction, and environmental best practices throughout the culinary operation.
• Ensure full compliance with HACCP, food safety, hygiene, health and safety, and all regulatory requirements.
• Monitor guest feedback, culinary trends, and competitive positioning to drive innovation and continuous improvement.
• Support resort events, VIP experiences, brand activations, and special culinary collaborations.
• Contribute to all pre-opening activities, including kitchen design reviews, equipment selection, supplier sourcing, training programs, and operational readiness planning.

Experience & Qualifications

• Culinary degree or professional qualification in Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, or a related field.
• Significant leadership experience as an Executive Chef, Executive Sous Chef, or senior culinary leader within a luxury hotel, resort, lifestyle brand, or high-end multi-outlet operation.
• Demonstrated success managing multiple restaurants and diverse culinary concepts within a complex hospitality environment.
• Strong understanding of Mediterranean cuisine, local sourcing, seasonality, and international food trends.
• Proven experience developing successful restaurant concepts, menus, and guest dining experiences.
• Strong commercial acumen with expertise in food cost management, labor control, purchasing, budgeting, and profitability.
• Experience recruiting, developing, and leading large culinary teams.
• Previous hotel or resort pre-opening experience is highly desirable.
• In-depth knowledge of HACCP, food safety regulations, and Spanish/EU compliance requirements.
• Fluent in English and Spanish.
• Valid EU work authorization or the appropriate Spanish work permit.

Key Competencies

• Creative and visionary culinary leadership.
• Passion for exceptional food quality and guest experiences.
• Strong commercial and business acumen.
• Inspirational leadership and team development skills.
• Operational excellence and attention to detail.
• Innovation, adaptability, and continuous improvement mindset.
• Strong collaboration and stakeholder management abilities.
• Alignment with ZEST values, culture, and service philosophy.

Benefits

At ZEST, we believe exceptional culinary experiences are at the heart of unforgettable hospitality. As Executive Chef, you will have the opportunity to create and lead a food program that becomes a defining part of the guest experience and a benchmark within Ibiza's luxury hospitality scene.

• Competitive executive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunity to join the Executive Leadership Team of a landmark luxury resort.
• Be part of a pre-opening project and shape the culinary identity from day one.
• Creative freedom to develop concepts, menus, and experiences that reflect the ZEST brand.
• Opportunities for professional growth, development, and industry recognition.
• Employee recognition and engagement initiatives that celebrate success and performance.
• The opportunity to make a lasting impact on one of Ibiza's most exciting luxury hospitality destinations.
• Work within a culture driven by the ZEST Effect, where passion, creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement are at the heart of everything we do.

Why Join Us?

This is far more than a traditional Executive Chef role.

You will join the team responsible for launching one of Ibiza's most exciting new luxury lifestyle resorts, helping define its culinary identity, dining concepts, guest experiences, and long-term reputation from day one.

If you are excited by the opportunity to build something exceptional from the ground up and create culinary experiences that guests remember long after they leave, we would love to hear from you.

ZEST Hotel & Resort Ibiza is an equal opportunities employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

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