Head Chef – Italian Pizza Specialist

Head Chef – Italian Pizza Specialist

Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE

Employment Type: Full-Time

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly experienced Head Chef specializing in authentic Italian and Neapolitan pizza to lead our kitchen operations in Abu Dhabi. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in dough fermentation, wood-fired or electric pizza ovens, menu development, kitchen management, cost control, and team leadership. The Head Chef will ensure exceptional food quality, consistency, and adherence to international food safety standards.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage all kitchen operations and staff.
• Develop and maintain authentic Italian pizza recipes and menu offerings.
• Oversee pizza dough production, fermentation, proofing, and baking processes.
• Ensure consistent quality, presentation, and taste of all food items.
• Train, mentor, and evaluate kitchen staff.
• Control food costs, inventory, purchasing, and waste management.
• Implement and maintain HACCP, hygiene, and food safety standards.
• Create seasonal menus and introduce new pizza concepts.
• Monitor kitchen equipment maintenance and operational efficiency.
• Coordinate with restaurant management to achieve business goals and customer satisfaction.

Requirements:

• 6 and above years of culinary experience with at least 5 years as Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef.
• Strong expertise in Italian cuisine, especially Neapolitan and artisan pizza.
• Advanced knowledge of dough fermentation, pizza ovens, Italian ingredients, and traditional cooking techniques.
• Experience managing high-volume restaurant operations.
• Proven leadership and team management skills.
• Strong understanding of food costing, budgeting, and inventory control.
• HACCP and food safety certification preferred.
• Culinary diploma or equivalent professional qualification is an advantage.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work in a multicultural environment.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience in premium Italian restaurants, hotel restaurants, or upscale dining concepts.
• Pre-opening experience.
• Expertise in wood-fired pizza ovens and traditional Italian pizza-making methods.
• Experience in the UAE

KPIs

• Food quality and consistency.
• Food cost percentage and waste control.
• Kitchen hygiene audit scores.
• Customer satisfaction ratings.
• Staff retention and training performance.
• Revenue growth through menu innovation.

Ideal Candidate: A passionate Italian pizza expert with strong leadership skills, capable of delivering authentic Italian cuisine experiences while managing a high-performing kitchen team.

Work Location: In person