Head Chef - voco Sharjah (Pre-Opening)

Ideally located in the heart of Sharjah, voco Sharjah offers easy access to Sharjah International Airport, SAIF Zone, and the city's key business and commercial districts. The hotel prime location provides convenient connectivity to Dubai, Ajman, and Sharjah's most popular attractions.

The hotel is perfectly positioned near some of Sharjah's most renowned educational and cultural institutions, including the University of Sharjah and the American University of Sharjah, making it an excellent choice for visiting academics, students, families, and corporate travelers. Guests are also within easy reach of University Hospital Sharjah, and the vibrant Aljada community.

Designed with voco's signature charm and thoughtful hospitality, the hotel features stylish guest rooms and suites, a fully equipped fitness centre, an inviting outdoor swimming pool, versatile meeting and event facilities, and a selection of dining experiences, including an all-day dining restaurant, cozy café, and lobby lounge. Whether the stay is for a short visit or an extended stay, voco Sharjah delivers a warm, trendy comfortable, and memorable experience.

We believe every plate tells a story. So, we’re searching for a Head Chef with a palate for serving up truly memorable dishes. Whenever and wherever our guests choose to dine. Behind the scenes, you’ll ensure quality, maintain high standards and keep the kitchen running smoothly.
A little taste of your day-to-day:
Every day is different, but you’ll mostly be:
• Lead all culinary operations across the hotel's restaurants, bars, banquets, in-room dining, and pastry production, ensuring exceptional quality, consistency, and innovation.

• Develop seasonal menus, signature dishes, and creative culinary experiences that reflect guest preferences, market trends, and the hotel's dining concepts.

• Apply your expertise in Mediterranean cuisine and Pastry to inspire menu development, mentor the culinary team, and elevate the hotel's food offerings.

• Inspire, coach, and develop the culinary team, creating a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning.

• Plan daily kitchen operations, ensuring the right staffing levels and efficient workflow across all shifts.

• Maintain the highest standards of food quality, presentation, hygiene, and consistency in line with IHG brand standards and HACCP requirements.

• Partner closely with the Director of Operations, Food & Beverage team, and other departments to deliver outstanding guest experiences and successful events.

• Engage with guests, respond to feedback, and continuously enhance the culinary offering to improve guest satisfaction.

• Monitor food costs, labour expenses, inventory, and purchasing to achieve financial targets while minimising waste.

• Oversee supplier relationships and ensure the quality and availability of ingredients and kitchen equipment.

• Drive menu engineering, recipe standardisation, and accurate food costing to maximise profitability.

• Stay informed of culinary trends, competitor activity, and industry innovations, introducing new ideas that enhance the hotel's reputation.

• Ensure full compliance with food safety, sanitation, health, and local regulatory requirements.

• Support annual budgeting, forecasting, and departmental planning while delivering agreed business objectives.

• Champion sustainability initiatives by promoting responsible sourcing, waste reduction, and efficient kitchen operations.

What We need from you:

• Proven experience as a Head Chef or Executive Chef within 5-star hotel or high-end restaurant environment.

• Strong culinary expertise in Mediterranean cuisine and Pastry, with the ability to develop innovative menus and mentor chefs across these specialities.

• A minimum of 5 to 7 years of progressive culinary leadership experience, including managing large kitchen operations.

• Excellent leadership and people management skills with the ability to coach, motivate, and develop high-performing teams.

• Strong knowledge of menu development, food costing, inventory management, budgeting, and kitchen financial performance.

• In-depth understanding of HACCP, food safety, hygiene standards, and local regulatory requirements.

• Proven ability to manage multiple outlets, events, and changing business demands while maintaining exceptional quality.

• Creative mindset with a passion for innovation, seasonal ingredients, and continuous improvement.

• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with senior leaders and operational teams.

• A recognised culinary qualification or professional chef certification is required.

What you can expect from us:
We give our people everything they need to succeed. From a competitive salary that rewards all your hard work to a wide range of benefits designed to help you live your best work life – including a full uniform, impressive room discounts and some of the best training in the business.
Our mission is to welcome everyone and create inclusive teams where we celebrate difference and encourage colleagues to bring their whole selves to work. IHG Hotels & Resorts provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability. We promote a culture of trust, support, and acceptance. Always welcoming different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
IHG gives every member of the team the room they need to belong, grow and make a difference in a collaborative environment. We know that to work well, we need to feel well – both inside and outside of work – and through our myWellbeing framework, we are committed to supporting wellbeing in your health, lifestyle, and workplace.
So, join us and you’ll become part of our ever-growing global family.