Head Chef – voco Dubai®

Role Overview

Head Chef at voco Dubai, an IHG Hotels and Resorts property. The role is based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Company Overview

voco is IHG's upscale hotel brand, launched to offer a different choice in hospitality. The brand values are Always dependable, Respect individuality, and Be distinctive. voco Dubai is located on Sheikh Zayed Road and offers premium ambience with laid-back yet attentive service. The hotel features multiple major food and beverage outlets and banquet facilities with capacity to cater to more than 200 people.

Role Purpose

As Head Chef, you will direct all kitchen activities and prepare delicious food to create memorable experiences for guests whenever and wherever they dine within the hotel. You will ensure quality, kitchen maintenance, and inventory functions are maintained to the highest standards, keeping the kitchen running smoothly at all times.

Key Responsibilities

People & Team Leadership

• Direct daily kitchen activities, plan and assign work to ensure optimal staffing numbers.
• Develop your team and improve their performance through coaching and feedback.
• Create performance and development goals for colleagues and recognize good performance.
• Recommend or initiate HR-related actions where needed.
• Drive a great working environment for teams to thrive and connect departments to create a sense of one unified team.
• Promote teamwork and quality service through daily communication and coordination with other departments.
• Communicate with all hotel department heads to stay informed of kitchen needs and ensure timely responses to requests.
• Supervise kitchen team with oversight of managers, supervisors, and professional culinary staff.

Guest Experience

• Encourage guest feedback to improve guest satisfaction.
• Answer guest questions about dishes and kitchen services.
• Help the Food and Beverage Director with event planning.

Operations & Standards

• Ensure all dishes are prepared to the highest standards, making every meal special and memorable for guests.
• Keep an eye on competitor activity and industry innovation to develop new ideas in the kitchen.
• Make sure food and drinks are secure and stored safely, with stock replenished to minimize waste.
• Ensure all kitchen equipment and environment are hygienic and working properly.
• Always follow governmental regulations and company policies and procedures.
• Complete ad-hoc duties when unexpected moments require pulling together to accomplish tasks.

Financial & Reporting

• Complete forecasts, plans, and departmental production reports for management.
• Help prepare the hotel's annual budget and the setting of departmental goals.
• Maintain costing and documentation of all dishes prepared and sold from the kitchen.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree or certificate in culinary arts.
• Minimum 5 years of hotel experience.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong drive for results and dynamic approach to problem-solving.
• Good communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Knowledge of computer accounting programs.
• Strong math skills and budgetary analysis capabilities.
• True Attitude: caring, wanting to make a positive difference, and building genuine connections with guests.
• True Confidence: having the knowledge and skills to perform your role and giving guests confidence they can trust you.
• True Listening: focusing on what your guest is saying, picking up on body language, and understanding what guests want and need.
• True Responsiveness: providing guests with what they need in a timely and caring manner.

Additional Information

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Career development opportunities.
• Employee room discounts.
• Great work culture as part of the global IHG family.