Executive Chef

EXECUTIVE CHEF | SARAJ VENUE – RIYADH

Saraj Venue is looking for an experienced and highly accomplished Executive Chef to lead our culinary operation and deliver exceptional food experiences across luxury events, weddings, corporate functions, and outside catering.

We are looking for a strong culinary leader who combines creativity, operational excellence, commercial awareness, and exceptional team leadership.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead and manage the entire culinary department, including Chefs, Sous Chefs and kitchen teams.
• Develop and maintain high-end menus for weddings, VIP events, corporate functions and catering operations.
• Ensure consistent food quality, presentation, taste and hygiene standards.
• Create new concepts, menus and dishes while maintaining Saraj’s culinary identity.
• Manage food cost, portion control, yield, wastage and kitchen budgets.
• Control purchasing and ensure efficient utilization of food products and resources.
• Establish and maintain SOPs, recipes and kitchen standards.
• Ensure full compliance with food safety, hygiene and HACCP standards.
• Plan kitchen operations according to event requirements, guest numbers and production schedules.
• Recruit, train, develop and evaluate culinary team members.
• Work closely with Operations, Sales, Procurement, Cost Control and Management to ensure successful event execution.
• Personally oversee major events and VIP functions when required.
• Drive continuous improvement in culinary quality, efficiency and guest satisfaction.

STRONG REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum 10 years of progressive culinary experience, including significant Executive Chef / Chef de Cuisine leadership experience.
• Proven experience in luxury hospitality, high-end catering, banquets, weddings or large-scale events.
• Strong knowledge of international and modern cuisine, with excellent menu development skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage high-volume production and multiple events simultaneously.
• Strong financial understanding of food cost, budgeting, inventory and wastage control.
• Excellent leadership and team-management skills.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, HACCP and kitchen hygiene standards.
• Creative, organized, disciplined and highly detail-oriented.
• Ability to work under pressure and deliver consistent results within tight deadlines.
• Excellent communication and coordination skills.
• Strong computer skills and familiarity with hospitality/kitchen management systems.
• Fluent Arabic speaker with strong English communication skills.
• Experience in Saudi Arabia or the GCC is highly preferred.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

A hands-on culinary leader, not only a chef — someone who can build a strong kitchen team, control costs, develop outstanding menus and maintain the highest standards while delivering exceptional experiences for our guests.

Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Company: Saraj Venue

Desired Candidate Profile

EXECUTIVE CHEF | SARAJ VENUE – RIYADH