Executive Chef

About the role

JA Hatta Fort Hotel is looking for an Executive Chef to lead its culinary team and set the culinary direction of one of the UAE's most distinctive resort destinations. The role oversees all culinary operations across the hotel, driving guest satisfaction, business performance, culinary innovation and team development.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and oversee all culinary operations across restaurants, bars, banquets, in-room dining and special events, ensuring high standards of quality, preparation, presentation and consistency
• Develop innovative menus that reflect guest preferences, market trends and the hotel's character
• Ensure guest expectations are met and exceeded, oversee food production and delivery across all outlets and respond to guest feedback
• Recruit, mentor and develop a high-performing culinary team, identify future culinary leaders and build a culture of accountability and continuous learning
• Manage food, labour and operational costs within budget, monitor purchasing, inventory and supplier relationships, and maximise productivity
• Ensure compliance with food safety, hygiene and sanitation standards and HACCP requirements, keeping the kitchen safe and well organised

Required profile

• Culinary school degree with a minimum three-year certification
• Minimum 10 years of culinary experience, including at least 4 years in a luxury 5-star hotel and 5 years in a similar Executive Chef role
• Basic and intermediate hygiene certification (required); advanced hygiene certification preferred
• Proven experience managing multiple culinary outlets and large kitchen operations
• Strong leadership, menu development and commercial awareness; advanced written and spoken English