Chef de Cuisine – Culinary Leadership, Contemporary British Cuisine & European Bistro Excellence at Kimpton Sevn Dubai (Pre-Opening)
IHGJobsCloseBy Editorial Insights
Kimpton Sevn Dubai is seeking a Chef de Cuisine to lead the Apsley kitchen through pre-opening and beyond, translating contemporary British cuisine with Mediterranean influences into a refined, welcoming experience from breakfast to dinner while honoring heritage and hospitality. The ideal candidate has five to eight years in upscale dining, two to three years in senior kitchen leadership, and preferably pre-opening or GCC Dubai experience, with a proven ability to build a high-performing brigade, maintain quality and HACCP compliance, and balance culinary excellence with cost discipline. To apply, tailor your CV and cover note to highlight pre-opening achievements, leadership impact, menu execution, supplier partnerships, and a collaborative guest-focused approach; include a portfolio and references.
A Role That Brings Heritage, Craft & Culinary Excellence Together – The Apsley Identity
At Kimpton Sevn Dubai, Apsley is more than a restaurant—it is a contemporary dining destination inspired by the elegance of British aristocratic tradition and the warmth of European bistro culture.
Inspired by Apsley House, the historic London residence of the First Duke of Wellington, known as "Number One, London," the concept reflects timeless sophistication, understated luxury, and exceptional hospitality. The menu seamlessly blends contemporary British cuisine with Mediterranean influences, evolving throughout the day from breakfast to dinner.
We are looking for a Chef de Cuisine who can bring this vision to life—someone who combines culinary craftsmanship, operational excellence, and leadership while delivering a refined yet approachable dining experience.
You are not only leading a kitchen—you are preserving a legacy while creating a modern culinary destination.
One Kitchen. One Heritage. One Timeless Experience.
At the Apsley, dining is elegant, welcoming, and thoughtfully curated.
As Chef de Cuisine, you ensure:
• Exceptional execution of contemporary British and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine
• Consistent delivery of refined dishes rooted in quality and craftsmanship
• Strong leadership of a professional and highly engaged kitchen brigade
• Seamless alignment between culinary excellence, service, and guest experience
You create a kitchen defined by precision, consistency, and timeless hospitality.
Why This Role Matters
Apsley represents a modern interpretation of British dining culture.
In this role, you support the Cluster Director of Culinary by:
• Bringing the Apsley's culinary philosophy to life through flawless execution
• Leading a kitchen that balances heritage, innovation, and contemporary relevance
• Ensuring operational excellence while maintaining culinary integrity
• Driving consistency across breakfast, lunch, afternoon, and dinner experiences
• Developing a brigade capable of delivering exceptional dining experiences every day
You are the guardian of both tradition and innovation.
Be the Leader Behind the Experience
You are refined, disciplined, and passionate about culinary excellence.
Through your leadership, you will:
• Lead daily kitchen operations for the Apsley
• Oversee food preparation, presentation, and service standards
• Ensure consistency across all menus and dining periods
• Manage kitchen brigade performance, development, and succession planning
• Maintain calm, precision, and excellence throughout every service
Your leadership defines the character and consistency of the restaurant.
What We’ll Support You to Do
• Bring Culinary Heritage to Life
• Translate British and Mediterranean influences into memorable dining experiences.
• Lead a High-Performing Kitchen Brigade
• Develop talent capable of delivering refined and consistent execution.
• Maintain Operational Excellence
• Balance creativity, quality, and commercial performance.
• Elevate the Guest Dining Experience
• Ensure every dish reflects the elegance and identity of the Apsley.
The Gig
Reporting to the Cluster Director of Culinary, the Chef de Cuisine leads the Apsley kitchen at Kimpton Sevn Dubai, ensuring the delivery of a sophisticated, contemporary, and memorable dining experience.
• The Opportunity: Lead a signature restaurant inspired by British heritage and European bistro culture
• The Focus: Culinary craftsmanship, execution, and team leadership
• The Impact: Create a dining experience that is elegant, approachable, and consistently exceptional
You will shape the culinary identity of the Apsley.
Stay Human
At Kimpton, timeless hospitality is always personal.
In this role, you will:
• Lead with integrity, professionalism, and passion
• Encourage craftsmanship, creativity, and continuous learning
• Build a culture rooted in collaboration, respect, and excellence
• Bring warmth and personality into every aspect of culinary execution
Every plate reflects the spirit of The Apsley—elegant, refined, and welcoming.
Your Day-to-Day
No two days are the same; your responsibilities will span creative, operational, and leadership activities, including but not limited to:
Kitchen Operations
• Oversee daily culinary operations across all meal periods
• Ensure smooth service execution from breakfast through dinner
• Maintain consistency in flavour, presentation, and quality standards
Culinary Leadership
• Lead, train, and inspire a professional kitchen brigade
• Conduct daily briefings and service preparation sessions
• Drive performance, accountability, and team engagement
Menu Execution & Quality Control
• Execute contemporary British and Mediterranean-inspired menus
• Ensure consistency, balance, and attention to detail across all dishes
• Maintain strict quality control and presentation standards
Cost Control & Kitchen Management
• Monitor food cost, wastage, and inventory management
• Support procurement and supplier relationships
• Optimise productivity while maintaining premium standards
Hygiene & Compliance
• Maintain HACCP, food safety, and hygiene standards
• Ensure compliance with operational and regulatory requirements
• Conduct regular audits and corrective actions
Pre-Opening Support
• Support kitchen setup and operational readiness
• Assist in menu testing, recipe development, and standardisation
• Participate in training, mock services, and concept calibration
• Contribute to SOP development and culinary opening preparations
What Success Looks Like
• A fully realised Apsley dining experience
• Consistent delivery of refined, high-quality cuisine
• A motivated, skilled, and professional kitchen brigade
• Strong operational discipline supporting culinary excellence
• Seamless service aligned with guest expectations
• Successful pre-opening delivery and restaurant launch
Who This Role Is Perfect For
• Passionate culinary leader with strong technical expertise
• Experience in British, European, or Mediterranean cuisine concepts
• Strong background in luxury hotels, destination dining, or lifestyle restaurants
• Disciplined and hands-on kitchen operator
• Strong mentor with a commitment to developing culinary talent
• Detail-driven with a passion for hospitality and craftsmanship
What We Need From You
Ideally, you bring some (or all) of the following qualifications and experience
Education
• Culinary qualification or equivalent professional certification preferred
Experience
• 5–8 years culinary experience in upscale or luxury dining environments
• Minimum 2–3 years in a senior kitchen leadership role
• Experience in British, European, Mediterranean, or bistro-style dining preferred
• Pre-opening experience is an advantage
• GCC/Dubai experience beneficial
Personal Attributes
• Professional and inspiring leadership style
• Strong appreciation for culinary heritage and craftsmanship
• Calm, composed, and highly organised under pressure
• Detail-oriented with exceptional execution standards
• Collaborative and team-focused approach
• Passionate about delivering memorable dining experiences through quality, consistency, and hospitality
What You Can Expect from Us
At Kimpton Sevn Dubai, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts, we believe our success begins with our people.
We invest in you through competitive compensation, global travel privileges, and meaningful career growth opportunities within one of the world’s most respected hospitality groups.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing fair and inclusive employment opportunities to all colleagues and applicants, regardless of race, colour, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital or family status, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
Through our myWellbeing framework, we actively support the physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of our teams—because when our people are supported and thriving, they create exceptional experiences for our guests and each other
Kimpton Sevn Dubai: A Culture of Connection, Craft & Care
At Kimpton Sevn Dubai, you are not simply joining a team—you are becoming part of a culture that is personal, thoughtful, and distinctly human.
We are a close-knit, collaborative community where trust is earned, individuality is valued, and excellence is shaped through genuine care for people and experience.
We believe diverse perspectives strengthen our culture and inspire creativity. We seek individuals who are naturally intuitive, detail-oriented, and passionate about creating memorable moments that feel both effortless and meaningful.
At Kimpton, hospitality is bold yet refined, expressive yet intentional. More than a place to stay, we create spaces where guests feel connected, inspired, and truly welcomed—and where our teams feel empowered to bring their personality, creativity, and craftsmanship to everything they do.
Ready to Shape Something Distinctive?
If you do not meet every requirement but believe you bring the right energy, creativity, and passion for people, we would still love to hear from you.
Join Kimpton Sevn Dubai and be part of shaping a luxury lifestyle experience where individuality is celebrated, ideas are valued, and every detail contributes to something memorable.
At IHG, we’ve made a promise. As one of the world’s leading hotel groups, we’re here to deliver True Hospitality for Good. Making our guests and colleagues feel welcome, cared for, recognised and respected – wherever they are in the world. Want to be part of the journey?