Sous Chef – Contemporary British Cuisine & European Bistro Culture at Kimpton Sevn Dubai (Pre-Opening)

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 Sous Chef who can support this vision through exceptional execution, operational leadership, and culinary excellence while working closely alongside the Chef de Cuisine.

You are not only supporting a kitchen—you are helping shape an experience that balances heritage, craftsmanship, and contemporary relevance.

One Kitchen. One Heritage. One Timeless Experience.

At Apsley, dining is elegant, welcoming, and thoughtfully curated.

As Sous Chef, you help ensure:

• Exceptional execution of contemporary British and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine
• Consistent delivery of refined dishes rooted in quality and craftsmanship
• Strong daily leadership and support of the kitchen brigade
• Seamless execution across all meal periods and service occasions

You help create a kitchen defined by precision, consistency, and timeless hospitality.

Why This Role Matters

The Apsley represents a modern interpretation of British dining culture.

In this role, you support the Chef de Cuisine by:

• Delivering the Apsley's culinary philosophy through daily execution
• Supervising kitchen operations and maintaining culinary standards
• Supporting brigade development, engagement, and performance
• Ensuring consistency across breakfast, lunch, afternoon, and dinner experiences
• Maintaining operational discipline while fostering creativity and collaboration

You are a key contributor to the success of the dining experience every day.

Be the Leader Behind the Experience

You are organised, hands-on, and passionate about culinary excellence.

Through your leadership, you will:

• Support the daily operation of the Apsley kitchen
• Lead service periods and ensure smooth kitchen execution
• Supervise food preparation, presentation, and quality standards
• Coach and develop junior culinary talent
• Maintain consistency, efficiency, and professionalism throughout service

Your influence helps shape the guest experience with every service.

What We'll Support You to Do

Bring Culinary Heritage to Life

• Execute menus that celebrate British and Mediterranean influences.

Support a High-Performing Kitchen Brigade

• Develop talent and foster a culture of learning and collaboration.

Maintain Operational Excellence

• Uphold quality, consistency, and food safety standards.

Deliver Memorable Dining Experiences

• Ensure every dish reflects the identity and standards of Apsley.

The Gig

Reporting to the Chef de Cuisine, the Sous Chef supports the leadership of the Apsley kitchen at Kimpton Sevn Dubai, helping deliver a sophisticated, contemporary, and memorable dining experience.

• The Opportunity: Be part of a signature restaurant inspired by British heritage and European bistro culture
• The Focus: Culinary execution, operational excellence, and team development
• The Impact: Help create a dining experience that is elegant, approachable, and consistently exceptional

You will play a critical role in bringing the Apsley vision to life.

Stay Human

At Kimpton, timeless hospitality is always personal.

In this role, you will:

• Lead with professionalism, integrity, and positivity
• Support a culture of collaboration, learning, and respect
• Encourage craftsmanship, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Bring energy and passion into every service

Every plate reflects the spirit of Apsley—elegant, refined, and welcoming.

Your Day-to-Day

No two days are the same; your responsibilities will span operational, leadership, and culinary activities, including but not limited to:

Kitchen Operations

• Support 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

• Supervise, train, and motivate culinary team members
• Conduct daily briefings and service preparations
• Support team engagement and performance management

Menu Execution & Quality Control

• Execute contemporary British and Mediterranean-inspired menus
• Ensure consistency and attention to detail across all dishes
• Maintain strict quality and presentation standards

Cost Control & Kitchen Management

• Assist with food cost management and inventory control
• Monitor wastage and support purchasing procedures
• Maintain productivity while upholding premium standards

Hygiene & Compliance

• Maintain HACCP, food safety, and hygiene standards
• Ensure compliance with operational and regulatory requirements
• Participate in audits and corrective action plans

Pre-Opening Support

• Support kitchen setup and operational readiness
• Assist with menu testing and recipe standardisation
• Participate in training programmes and mock services
• Contribute to SOP implementation and opening preparations

What Success Looks Like

• Consistent delivery of the Apsley dining experience
• Exceptional food quality across all meal periods
• A motivated and engaged kitchen brigade
• Strong operational discipline and service execution
• Positive guest feedback and team performance
• Successful pre-opening readiness and launch

Who This Role Is Perfect For

• Passionate culinary professional ready for a leadership role
• Experience in British, European, Mediterranean, or bistro-style concepts
• Strong operational and service execution skills
• Team-oriented leader with a hands-on approach
• Detail-focused and committed to culinary excellence
• Passionate about hospitality, learning, and development

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

• 3–5 years culinary experience in upscale or luxury dining environments
• Minimum 1–2 years in a Sous Chef or senior supervisory role
• Experience in British, European, Mediterranean, or bistro-style dining preferred
• Pre-opening experience is an advantage
• GCC/Dubai experience beneficial

Personal Attributes

• Positive and collaborative leadership style
• Strong appreciation for culinary heritage and craftsmanship
• Calm, organised, and solutions-oriented under pressure
• Detail-driven with high quality standards
• Passionate about coaching and developing others
• Committed to delivering memorable guest experiences through consistency, quality, 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.

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants crafts unique destinations that kindle heartfelt human connections. Our bespoke spaces blend spirit, style and delight to create an addictive culture of refined irreverence where locals, visitors & colleagues seamlessly connect.

Don't quite meet every single requirement, but still believe you'd be a great fit for the job? We'll never know unless you hit the 'Apply' button. Start your journey with us today.