Cluster Director of Culinary - InterContinental Hotel & Residences Abu Dhabi

Are you a culinary visionary with a passion for excellence , cooking and teamwork? We are seeking an innovative Cluster Director of Culinary to lead and elevate our culinary operations. In this pivotal role, you’ll collaborate closely with our executive team and manage talented culinary teams across multiple outlets, ensuring a consistent, high-quality dining experience. You’ll inspire and guide your team, setting the highest culinary standards together. Join us and be a part of InterContinental Abu Dhabi.

A little taste of your day-to-day:

Every day is different, but you’ll mostly do:

1. Culinary Leadership and Management:

• Lead and manage the hotel's culinary team across all dining venues, including fine dining restaurants, casual dining, room service, banquets, and special events.
• Develop and implement culinary concepts that align with the hotel's brand, market positioning, and guest expectations.
• Ensure consistent delivery of high-quality food and beverages in every restaurant, bar, and event catering operation.
• Oversee menu development, food preparation, and presentation to ensure culinary excellence.
• Maintain a hands-on approach, working in the kitchen alongside the team to monitor performance and quality.
• Recruit, train, and retain top culinary talent, fostering a culture of creativity, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

2. Financial Management and Cost Control:

• Develop and manage the culinary budget, ensuring cost-effective operations while maintaining quality standards.
• Monitor and control food and labor costs to ensure profitability, implementing strategies for efficient resource allocation.
• Oversee inventory management, ensuring that ingredients and supplies are properly stocked and managed, minimizing waste and spoilage.
• Collaborate with the purchasing department to source the best quality ingredients and maintain vendor relationships.

3. Culinary Innovation and Menu Design:

• Continuously innovate and refresh menus to reflect current food trends, guest preferences, and seasonal ingredients.
• Ensure that all menus (including à la carte, tasting menus, banquet menus, etc.) are carefully curated, balancing creativity with operational feasibility.
• Conduct regular tasting sessions to evaluate food quality and flavor profiles.
• Integrate sustainability practices in sourcing and menu design, ensuring that the hotel meets industry standards for environmental responsibility.

4. Quality Assurance and Food Safety:

• Ensure that all food safety standards, health regulations, and sanitation protocols are strictly followed.
• Monitor kitchen cleanliness, food storage practices, and the maintenance of kitchen equipment.
• Conduct regular quality control checks to ensure food consistency, taste, and presentation are aligned with the hotel’s high standards.

5. Guest Experience:

• Create exceptional dining experiences that delight guests and exceed their expectations, in line with the five-star hotel’s reputation.
• Interact with guests as needed to gather feedback, address concerns, and maintain high guest satisfaction levels.
• Work with the front-of-house teams to ensure smooth communication and seamless service delivery between the kitchen and dining areas.
• Lead initiatives to personalize and elevate guest dining experiences, including private dining, VIP events, and special occasions.

6. Collaboration with Hotel Leadership:

• Collaborate with the hotel's executive team, including the General Manager, Director of Operations, and Food & Beverage Manager, to align the culinary vision with the hotel's overall objectives and strategies.
• Participate in the development of marketing initiatives to promote the hotel's dining offerings.
• Coordinate with the events and banquet teams to ensure that catering for meetings, conferences, and special events exceeds guest expectations.

7. Training and Development:

• Provide ongoing training and professional development opportunities for all culinary staff.
• Foster a learning environment by encouraging creativity and skill development among team members.
• Ensure that all chefs and kitchen staff are trained in the latest culinary techniques and trends.

8. Event and Banquet Management:

• Oversee the culinary aspects of large events, banquets, and special functions held at the hotel.
• Work closely with the events team to ensure that menus, food presentations, and service are tailored to specific client needs.
• Ensure seamless execution of large-scale catering operations while maintaining the hotel’s standards of quality.

What we need from you:

• Bachelor’s degree in culinary arts, Hospitality Management, or related field (preferred).
• At least 10 years of experience in a senior culinary role within a high-end hotel or restaurant, with a proven track record in managing multiple kitchen operations.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Expertise in budget management, cost control, and inventory management

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, colour, 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.