C2i - Head Sous Chef - Dhaba kitchen Abu Dhabi

About Dhaba Kitchen Dhaba began by the warmth of Chef Enayatullah Safi's grandmother's tandoor in Afghanistan. His journey carried him through the streets of India, which gave Dhaba its soul, and into the kitchens of Copenhagen, where he learned precision and respect for every ingredient. Now, in Abu Dhabi, all of those chapters come together at one table, alongside the multicultural energy of the UAE. We are preparing to open our new flagship restaurant in Saadiyat Grove, one of the UAE's most exciting dining destinations, and we are looking for an experienced, ambitious Head Chef to join our pre-opening team. The Role Reporting to the Executive Chef and Culinary Director, you will lead the day-to-day running of the kitchen and build a high-performing culinary team before and after opening. Our food combines Indian flavours, live-fire and tandoor cooking, premium ingredients and contemporary Copenhagen technique, with the generosity of Indian hospitality always at its heart. Key responsibilities: • Lead daily kitchen operations and service • Support menu development, recipe testing and ongoing innovation with the Executive Chef • Ensure consistency, quality and presentation across every dish • Recruit, train and develop the kitchen brigade in Dhaba recipes, techniques and standards • Manage food cost, wastage, ordering and stock control • Uphold the highest standards of food safety and hygiene • Partner with front-of-house management to deliver an exceptional guest experience • Support pre-opening tastings, supplier selection and kitchen setup • Build a disciplined, organised and positive kitchen culture What You Bring • Proven experience as a Head Chef, Executive Sous Chef or Senior Sous Chef • Strong knowledge of modern Indian cuisine, including traditional spices, sauces, tandoor and regional cooking • Background in upscale restaurants, premium casual dining or five-star hospitality • Strong leadership and people-management skills • Experience managing food cost and kitchen profitability • Excellent organisation and attention to detail • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced pre-opening environment • Experience in the UAE/GCC or internationally is an advantage The Person We are looking for a chef who is curious, creative and disciplined. This is not about reproducing traditional dishes; it is about understanding the foundations of Indian cuisine and presenting those flavours in a contemporary, sophisticated way. You will have the confidence to lead, the humility to keep learning, and the ambition to help build one of Abu Dhabi's most exciting new Indian restaurants. How to Apply Apply directly through LinkedIn Easy Apply. Please include your current position, notice period and salary expectations in your application. Show more Show less

Proven experience as a Head Chef, Executive Sous Chef or Senior Sous Chef; Strong knowledge of modern Indian cuisine, including traditional spices, sauces, tandoor and regional cooking; Background in upscale restaurants, premium casual dining or five-star hospitality; Strong leadership and people-management skills; Experience managing food cost and kitchen profitability; Excellent organisation and attention to detail; Ability to thrive in a fast-paced pre-opening environment; Experience in the UAE/GCC or internationally is an advantage.

Lead daily kitchen operations and service; Support menu development, recipe testing and ongoing innovation with the Executive Chef; Ensure consistency, quality and presentation across every dish; Recruit, train and develop the kitchen brigade in Dhaba recipes, techniques and standards; Manage food cost, wastage, ordering and stock control; Uphold the highest standards of food safety and hygiene; Partner with front-of-house management to deliver an exceptional guest experience; Support pre-opening tastings, supplier selection and kitchen setup; Build a disciplined, organised and positive kitchen culture.