Sous Chef - Upscale Cafe Style Dinning

Role Overview

Sous Chef – Upscale Cafe Style Dining at SIHAMCO, based in Riyadh. This is a seasonal 6-month role from November to April.

Company Overview

SIHAMCO is a strategic partner operating under the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), National Events Center (NEC), Riyadh Season and Jeddah Season since 2019. Since 2008, the company has been designing, constructing, and operating exceptional experiences that blend local authenticity with global standards. All brands under SIHAMCO are homegrown Saudi concepts, fully developed in-house from initial vision through to operation. The portfolio includes over 25 original brands across Entertainment, Hospitality, F&B, Lifestyle, Wellness, and Family & Pet Entertainment Experience, including The Groves, ZodiaC Cuisine, Little Krazy, LucaLand, LucaPark, The Polar Ice Bar, Milk & Butter Nail Spa, Kooz Karak, Birds of Eden, El Lechazo, Khawaja Yanni, Zama Zulu, Hawanim Groves City, Vida Vera, The Groves Pizzeria and Gem-In-I. Brands are registered across the GCC and internationally, including the United Kingdom, Egypt, and Morocco.

Role Purpose

Lead culinary operations for a bold and playful dining concept combining contemporary global cuisine, creative comfort food, and indulgent desserts. The menu brings together Asian flavours and techniques with Italian classics, contemporary burgers and sandwiches, globally inspired starters, and a strong focus on indulgent chocolate and pastry creations. The Sous Chef will maintain quality and consistency of the existing menu while continuously developing the culinary offering in line with the brand's personality, understanding modern casual dining, international flavours, high-volume service, menu development, presentation, and commercial kitchen management. The role requires both creative culinary leadership and strong operational capability.

Key Responsibilities

Kitchen Operations & Standards

• Lead the overall kitchen operation, ensuring consistently high standards of food quality, presentation, taste, and execution.
• Maintain a clean, organised, efficient, and professional kitchen environment.
• Ensure strict compliance with food safety, HACCP, hygiene, sanitation, and health and safety requirements.
• Monitor kitchen equipment and ensure proper maintenance and safe operation.

Menu Management & Development

• Oversee the preparation and service of a diverse menu incorporating Asian, Italian, American and contemporary global influences.
• Maintain and continuously improve recipes, plating standards, preparation methods, and kitchen SOPs.
• Ensure consistency across the menu, from starters and salads through to burgers, sandwiches, pasta, Asian-inspired dishes, and desserts.
• Work closely with the management team on menu development, seasonal changes, new dishes, promotions, and special culinary activations.
• Develop innovative dishes that fit the playful and creative identity of Little Krazy while remaining commercially viable.
• Ensure all recipes are properly documented with accurate ingredients, yields, portion sizes, preparation methods, and presentation standards.
• Stay informed about international culinary trends, new techniques, ingredients, and contemporary dining concepts.
• Introduce new ideas and culinary experiences that strengthen Little Krazy's identity and differentiate the concept from competitors.

Cost Management & Quality Control

• Manage food costs, portion control, wastage, yields, and GP in line with agreed targets.
• Monitor food quality and ensure all ingredients meet the required standards.
• Work closely with suppliers and procurement teams to source quality ingredients at competitive prices.

Team Leadership & Development

• Recruit, train, coach, and develop the kitchen brigade to create a strong, disciplined, and motivated team.
• Manage kitchen scheduling, staffing requirements, section allocation, and daily operational priorities.
• Lead daily kitchen briefings, tastings, quality checks, and service preparation.
• Ensure smooth communication and coordination between kitchen sections and front-of-house during service.

Qualifications & Experience

• Strong experience across a multi-cuisine, contemporary restaurant environment with an understanding of diverse menus and concepts.
• Proven expertise in Asian-inspired cuisine and flavours, including Japanese and Korean techniques and ingredients.
• Demonstrated experience with Italian pasta and classic sauces.
• Solid background in contemporary burgers and sandwiches, modern comfort food, and international salads and starters.
• Knowledge of chocolate, pastry and indulgent desserts with modern plating and presentation standards.
• Experience working in high-volume restaurant production.
• Ability to confidently move between different culinary styles while maintaining consistency and quality.

Skills & Competencies

• Creative culinary leadership with capability to translate an imaginative menu into consistently excellent product.
• Strong operational management and kitchen performance control.
• Advanced knowledge of food costs, portion control, and commercial kitchen management.
• Proficiency in food safety, HACCP, hygiene, and sanitation protocols.
• Team development, recruitment, and staff management capabilities.
• Excellent communication and coordination skills between kitchen and front-of-house teams.
• Modern plating and presentation expertise.
• Understanding of international culinary trends and contemporary dining concepts.

Additional Information

• Opportunity to lead the founding team launching a new in-house Persian restaurant concept by SIHAMCO, a first within The Groves' Portfolio.
• Competitive salary packages aligned with market standards and experience.
• Health insurance, accommodation provided and transportation allowance.
• Career development and internal promotions available across departments and seasons.
• Creative and collaborative work culture built on passion, innovation, and attention to detail.
• Exposure to high-end hospitality and entertainment concepts and premium F&B experiences.
• Experience working on premium events within The Groves, Riyadh Season.
• Cultural diversity with a team of passionate professionals from around the world.