Head Chef

Role Overview

Head Chef at Apparel Group. This role oversees all kitchen operations, ensuring food is prepared and presented to established standards while maintaining the highest levels of cleanliness and hygiene throughout kitchen areas.

Role Purpose

Ensure the smooth running of daily kitchen operations through effective supervision and organization. Manage food preparation, cooking, and presentation in accordance with established standards. Lead kitchen staff, coordinate with Pastry Chef, Sous Chefs, and management, and liaise with Stewards to maintain cleanliness, hygiene, and equipment functionality.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Management

• Supervise kitchen staff on assigned shifts to ensure food preparation, organization, and presentation standards are followed.
• Ensure kitchen equipment is in proper working order and issue maintenance orders for repairs.
• Orders fresh and dry goods daily to avoid spoilage and wastage, and maintain quality and freshness while keeping stocks at Par Levels.
• Minimize food cost and maintain it below identified levels and percentages as per targets set by Managing Partner.
• Determine with the Sous Chef the quality of supplies for the kitchen.

Training & Development

• Train staff in accordance with planned training programs.
• Correct production errors and methods as found necessary.
• Provide guidance to kitchen and stewarding staff on procedures and standards.

Food Preparation & Menu Development

• Initiate and participate in creative selling, merchandising, decoration, and presentation ideas.
• Assist in developing new menus and recipes.
• Liaise with Managers regarding food preparation, presentation, special menus, and seasonal specialties.
• Determine portion control to ensure required food cost percentage targets are achieved.

Hygiene & Cleanliness Standards

• Maintain required operational hygiene standards according to cleaning rotas at all times.
• Liaise with the Kitchen department to ensure high standards of cleanliness as per UAE standards are maintained in the kitchen, its fixtures, and equipment.
• Ensure that Stewards maintain cleanliness and hygiene standards throughout kitchen areas.

Health, Safety & Security

• Be aware of Restaurant policies and procedures relating to health, hygiene, and fire life safety.
• Ensure direct reports comply with health, hygiene, and fire life safety policies and procedures.
• Familiarize yourself with emergency exits and evacuation procedures.

Financial Management

• Work with the Restaurant Manager to achieve budget by monitoring and controlling departmental operations, considering restaurant revenue and expenditure.
• Control and analyze departmental costs on an ongoing basis to ensure performance against budget.
• Implement corrective measures where necessary to produce positive business results.

General Responsibilities

• Attend weekly meetings and briefings as scheduled.
• Attend training sessions as scheduled.
• Suggest disciplinary actions relating to kitchen and stewarding staff as appropriate.
• Comply with the company's corporate code of conduct.
• Familiarize yourself with company values and model desired behaviors.
• Perform tasks as directed by Management in pursuit of achievement of business goals.

Additional Information

• This role requires familiarity with UAE standards for food safety and kitchen operations.