Executive Chef - Waldorf Astoria Dubai DIFC

About the role

The Executive Chef at Waldorf Astoria Dubai International Financial Centre, a Forbes 5-Star luxury hotel, is responsible for the hotel's culinary strategy and daily kitchen operations across all dining venues. The role ensures exceptional menu quality and consistency, builds a high-performing team, drives efficiency and profitability, maintains brand and hygiene standards, and positions the restaurants and bars as preferred luxury destinations.

Key responsibilities

• Develop the Culinary and Stewarding business plan and manage its budget and forecasts
• Review sales, food costs, profit margins, wastage, breakage and guest satisfaction, and work with management to improve performance
• Create F&D concepts, menus, products and promotions with the F&D Operations team, and ensure food meets guest needs and social media expectations
• Support sustainability goals through local sourcing, seasonal produce, reduced food waste and efficient energy and water use
• Ensure dishes are prepared and served on time, handle food allergies and dietary requirements carefully, and act on guest feedback and complaints
• Manage the Culinary and Stewarding teams, from recruitment and training to succession planning and workforce planning
• Ensure compliance with health, safety and hygiene regulations, and work with Purchasing, Finance and F&D on suppliers, stock levels and inventory
• Stay up to date with F&D trends, markets, ingredients, competitors and suppliers

Required profile

• Current or previous experience as Executive Chef
• Solid experience with luxury hotel brands
• Commercial focus with proven business results
• Inspirational leadership and people management skills, with experience leading a large team and working with other departments
• Excellent verbal and written communication, guest focus and stakeholder relationship management
• Fluency in English
• Advantageous: experience with Forbes Standards, relevant qualifications, UAE experience, and leading Michelin Guide award-winning restaurants

Required skills

• Experience or strong understanding of F&D systems
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Experience or strong understanding of social media management