Chef de Cuisine – Culinary Leadership, Contemporary British Cuisine & European Bistro Excellence at Kimpton Sevn Dubai (Pre-Opening)

Overview

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

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

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