Executive Chef

Executive Chef – Afghan & California Cuisine

Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Employment Type: Full-time

Job Description

We are looking for an experienced and highly skilled Executive Chef with strong expertise in Afghan and California-inspired cuisine to lead our kitchen operations. The ideal candidate will have a strong culinary background, excellent leadership skills, and the ability to develop authentic, high-quality dishes while incorporating modern California culinary influences.

The Executive Chef will be responsible for overseeing the entire kitchen operation, maintaining food quality and hygiene standards, managing the culinary team, controlling food costs, and developing menus that meet the restaurant's concept and standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the complete kitchen operation, including daily food preparation and service.
• Develop, standardize, and maintain Afghan and California-inspired menus.
• Ensure authenticity, consistency, presentation, taste, and quality of all dishes.
• Create new dishes and seasonal menu items while maintaining the restaurant's concept.
• Supervise, train, motivate, and evaluate chefs and kitchen staff.
• Prepare and maintain standardized recipes, portion sizes, and plating specifications.
• Manage kitchen purchasing and procurement in coordination with management.
• Identify and source quality ingredients, raw materials, and kitchen supplies.
• Coordinate with suppliers, obtain quotations, compare prices, and negotiate where appropriate.
• Prepare purchase requirements based on stock levels, menu requirements, and operational needs.
• Monitor food costs, purchasing costs, and supplier pricing to maintain the approved budget.
• Ensure purchased products meet required quality, freshness, specifications, and quantity.
• Coordinate with the receiving/store team to ensure proper receiving, storage, labeling, and FIFO practices.
• Monitor inventory levels and avoid over-purchasing, shortages, and unnecessary wastage.
• Maintain proper purchase records, supplier information, and product specifications.
• Control food wastage and implement cost-saving measures without compromising quality.
• Conduct regular stock checks and coordinate monthly/periodic inventory counts.
• Ensure strict compliance with UAE food safety, hygiene, and HACCP standards.
• Plan kitchen staffing, duty schedules, and daily production requirements.
• Coordinate closely with Restaurant Management and FOH teams to ensure smooth service.
• Maintain consistent food quality during high-volume operations.
• Conduct regular tastings and quality checks before and during service.
• Maintain recipes, production sheets, costing sheets, and kitchen SOPs.
• Ensure kitchen equipment and facilities are properly maintained and report maintenance requirements to management.

Additional Requirement

• Strong knowledge of kitchen purchasing, supplier management, food costing, inventory control, and procurement procedures is required.
• Candidates with previous experience managing end-to-end kitchen purchasing and supplier coordination will be highly preferred.

Salary : To be discussed based on experience and qualifications.

Work Location: In person