Chef De Cuisine - Fairmont The Red Sea📣 Job Ad

About the Role

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is seeking a Chef de Cuisine to lead culinary operations at Fairmont The Red Sea in Umluj, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. This resort, part of the Red Sea Project, offers guests a nature-focused experience with 361 rooms and eleven distinct dining concepts. The Chef de Cuisine will be responsible for delivering refined, high-quality dining experiences that align with Fairmont's standards for excellence, creativity, and innovation. The role emphasizes à la minute service, meticulously curated menus, and elevated presentation, ensuring consistency and attention to detail.

This is a full-time position requiring a minimum of 10 years of experience, with a significant portion in senior leadership roles within luxury hospitality or fine dining. The Chef de Cuisine will contribute to shaping the culinary identity of Fairmont The Red Sea, a destination known for its sustainable development and pristine coastline.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee all kitchen operations, ensuring consistency, quality, and exceptional presentation.
• Design and execute innovative, seasonally driven menus that incorporate global influences and local ingredients.
• Develop and standardize recipes, portioning guidelines, and plating standards in alignment with Fairmont's culinary standards.
• Collaborate with the Cluster Executive Chef and Food & Beverage leadership on dining experiences, bespoke offerings, and special events.
• Ensure full compliance with all health, safety, and hygiene regulations.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire the culinary team, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
• Drive training initiatives to enhance the team's technical skills and culinary artistry.
• Manage team performance, scheduling, and succession planning.
• Cultivate a positive and high-performance work environment.
• Manage food cost, labor cost, and productivity within established budgets.
• Partner with procurement teams to source premium, sustainable ingredients.
• Monitor menu performance and guest feedback to refine offerings and enhance guest satisfaction.
• Deliver dining experiences that reflect Fairmont's brand DNA and the unique identity of The Red Sea destination.
• Engage directly with guests during service to create personalized dining experiences.
• Collaborate with marketing and PR teams on culinary narratives and promotions.
• Represent Fairmont The Red Sea in culinary events and external engagements.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Management.

Qualifications and Requirements

• A degree or diploma in Culinary Arts or a related field from a recognized institution.
• A minimum of 8 years of progressive culinary experience in luxury hotels or fine dining establishments.
• At least 3-4 years of experience in a senior leadership role, with a specialization in Mediterranean cuisine.
• Strong knowledge of regional Turkish cooking traditions, including spices, grilling techniques, meze culture, and bread and pastry preparation.
• Proven track record of successful leadership, innovative menu development, and stringent quality management in a high-end setting.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Fluency in English is required; knowledge of Arabic is considered an advantage.
• A genuine passion for authentic, high-quality culinary experiences.
• Demonstrated creative leadership and effective mentoring abilities.
• Meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to impeccable presentation.
• Strong operational excellence and financial acumen.
• A guest-focused service mindset.
• A commitment to sustainability and cultural respect.
• Experience in project coordination, scheduling, and document control during pre-opening stages is mandatory.
• A proactive, anticipatory approach with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Impeccable grooming and personal presentation aligned with luxury hospitality standards.

Required Skills

• Culinary Arts
• Mediterranean Cuisine Expertise
• Turkish Cooking Traditions
• Menu Innovation
• Quality Management
• Communication
• Organization
• Interpersonal Skills
• Culinary Leadership
• Attention to Detail
• Operational Excellence
• Financial Acumen
• Guest-Focused Service
• Sustainability Practices
• Cultural Respect
• Project Coordination
• Scheduling
• Document Control

Work Environment and Context

This is a full-time position located at Fairmont The Red Sea in Umluj, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Understanding of ultra-luxury guest expectations and brand alignment is crucial for this role. Experience in the pre-opening phases of a luxury resort is a mandatory requirement.