The Area Director of Culinary is a senior executive role responsible for overseeing the culinary operations of multiple luxury hotels within the region. This position requires a visionary leader with extensive culinary knowledge exceptional management capabilities and a proven track record in highend hospitality. The Area Director will ensure that all culinary offerings consistently reflect our brands excellence creativity and commitment to guest satisfaction.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership:
- Develop and implement the overarching culinary strategy for the area ensuring alignment with the companys brand identity and vision.
- Collaborate with hotel General Managers and executive leadership to design and execute unique culinary experiences that enhance guest satisfaction and drive revenue.
- Identify and capitalize on emerging culinary trends to maintain a competitive edge in the luxury hospitality market.
Operational Excellence:
- Establish and maintain high standards of food quality presentation and service across all hotel restaurants bars and banquet facilities.
- Develop and enforce standardized operating procedures for food preparation safety sanitation and overall kitchen operations.
- Monitor compliance with health regulations ensuring that all properties meet local and international food safety standards.
- Implement and oversee quality control measures to ensure consistency in culinary offerings across all properties.
Team Development and Management:
- Lead mentor and guide the culinary teams across all hotels fostering a collaborative atmosphere that promotes creativity innovation and professional growth.
- Conduct performance evaluations provide constructive feedback and identify training needs to develop culinary talent within the organization.
- Support recruitment efforts to attract top culinary talent and ensure a diverse and capable workforce.
- Implement crosstraining programs to enhance skill sets and promote internal career advancement.
Menu Development and Culinary Innovation:
- Oversee menu planning and development for all hotels ensuring that offerings are innovative appealing and reflect local cuisine and seasonal ingredients.
- Conduct regular tastings and menu reviews to ensure culinary excellence and guest satisfaction while adapting to changing market trends and preferences.
- Implement culinary events themed nights and special promotions to engage guests and highlight unique culinary experiences.
- Lead research and development initiatives to create signature dishes and innovative cooking techniques that set our properties apart from competitors.
- Collaborate with mixologists and beverage experts to develop complementary drink menus and food pairing experiences.
Financial Management:
- Manage and optimize the culinary budget across all properties including food and labor costs to achieve financial targets and enhance profitability.
- Analyze financial performance reports identifying trends and areas for improvement and implement corrective actions when necessary.
- Develop and implement costsaving measures without compromising on quality or guest experience.
Supplier and Vendor Relationships:
- Establish strong relationships with local farmers producers and suppliers to procure highquality ingredients sustainably and costeffectively.
- Negotiate contracts with suppliers to secure favorable terms and ensure reliable supply chains for all culinary operations.
- Conduct regular supplier audits to ensure compliance with quality standards and ethical sourcing practices.
Guest Experience Enhancement:
- Monitor guest feedback related to culinary offerings using insights to make datadriven decisions that enhance the dining experience.
- Collaborate with the marketing team to effectively promote culinary initiatives special events and seasonal menus that resonate with guests.
- Develop and implement personalized dining experiences for VIP guests and groups.
Sustainability and Community Engagement:
- Champion sustainability initiatives within the culinary operations promoting practices such as local sourcing waste reduction and ecofriendly dining options.
- Engage with the local community by sourcing ingredients from local markets and participating in community events fostering goodwill and strengthening the brands local presence.
- Develop and implement food waste reduction programs and partner with local organizations for responsible disposal of excess food.
- Organize and participate in culinary education programs for local schools and community centers to promote culinary arts and healthy eating habits.
Compliance and Safety:
- Ensure compliance with all local state and international food safety regulations licensing and health standards.
- Conduct regular audits of kitchen operations to ensure adherence to safety protocols and best practices in food handling and preparation.
- Stay informed about changes in food safety regulations and update protocols accordingly.
Technology Integration:
- Evaluate and implement cuttingedge culinary technologies to improve efficiency quality and guest experience.
- Oversee the integration of kitchen management software and pointofsale systems to streamline operations and enhance data analysis capabilities.
- Explore and implement digital menu solutions and online ordering systems to adapt to changing guest preferences and technological advancements.
Crisis Management and Business Continuity:
- Develop and maintain emergency response plans for potential culinaryrelated crises such as food contamination or supply chain disruptions.
- Lead the culinary team in adapting operations during unforeseen circumstances ensuring continued service excellence and guest satisfaction.
- Collaborate with other departments to create comprehensive business continuity plans that address various scenarios affecting culinary operations.
Qualifications :
Qualifications:
- Bachelors degree in Culinary Arts Hospitality Management or a related field; advanced culinary certifications (e.g. CULINARY) preferred.
- Minimum of 1015 years of culinary and management experience with at least 5 years in a multiproperty leadership role within luxury hospitality.
- Strong knowledge of cuisine menu planning food trends and culinary operations management.
- Proven financial acumen including budgeting forecasting and cost control.
- Exceptional leadership communication and interpersonal skills with an ability to inspire and motivate diverse teams.
- Fluent in English; proficiency in Arabic is a significant advantage.
- Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing innovative culinary concepts and strategies.
- Proven track record of improving guest satisfaction scores and driving revenue growth through culinary initiatives.
- Strong understanding of food safety regulations and HACCP principles.
- Experience in menu engineering and food cost optimization.
- Proficiency in culinary software and pointofsale systems.
- Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and adapt to local tastes and preferences.
- Excellent problemsolving skills and ability to make quick decisions in highpressure situations.
- Willingness to travel frequently within the assigned region.
What We Offer:
- Competitive salary and performancebased incentives.
- Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance accommodations and other perks.
- Opportunities for professional development and career advancement within a leading luxury hospitality group.
- A dynamic work environment that values creativity innovation and guestfocused service.
- Exposure to diverse culinary traditions and the opportunity to work with worldclass chefs and hospitality professionals.
- Support for continuing education and participation in culinary conferences and events.
Additional Information :
Remote Work :
No
Employment Type :
Fulltime