Culinary Director

Hawar Resort By Mantis Hawar Resort by Mantis is seeking an experienced and dynamic Culinary Director to lead and oversee all culinary operations across the resort. The successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining the highest standards of food quality, consistency, innovation, guest satisfaction, and operational excellence across all dining venues. The Culinary Director will play a key role in menu development, talent management, cost control, and culinary innovation while ensuring that all food offerings align with the resort's luxury positioning and guest expectations. What is in it for you: Unleash the excitement: enticing rewards and unbeatable benefits are waiting for you! Ignite your skills with our cutting-edge Academies for rapid professional growth. Cultivate your talents and watch your career flourish, locally and globally. Drive change through impactful Corporate Social Responsibility activities. Immerse yourself in a vibrant work environment with extraordinary colleagues. Join us on a direct path to success as we skyrocket to new heights! Key Responsibilities: Oversee all culinary operations across the resort, ensuring alignment with brand standards and operational excellence. Lead the development and execution of authentic Italian cuisine concepts, menus, and dining experiences. Ensure consistency and the highest standards in food quality, taste, presentation, and temperature across all kitchens. Drive innovation in menus, concepts, and food presentation to enhance guest experience and market positioning. Collaborate with Marketing and F&B leadership to develop promotions, campaigns, and destination dining experiences. Maintain and improve kitchen operations to maximize profitability while ensuring high guest satisfaction. Ensure effective communication and alignment across all culinary teams. Monitor and manage stock levels, purchasing, receiving, and storage to meet company standards and control costs. Ensure all goods purchased comply with hotel specifications and quality standards. Lead and develop culinary teams through training, coaching, succession planning, and performance management. Ensure compliance with HACCP guidelines, hygiene standards, and food safety regulations. Promote best practices in kitchen operations, cleanliness, and grooming standards. Build strong cross-functional relationships with F&B, Operations, Sales & Marketing, and other departments. Identify opportunities for efficiency improvements, cost optimization, and operational excellence. Stay updated on culinary trends, particularly within Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, and implement relevant innovations. Lead by example, fostering a positive, engaged, and high-performing team culture.

Bachelor’s degree in culinary arts, Hospitality Management, or a related field. Professional Culinary Certification from an accredited institution. Minimum 10 years of professional culinary experience, including at least 3 years in a senior culinary leadership role. Strong expertise in Italian cuisine , including menu development, authentic preparation methods, and modern Italian dining trends. Previous experience in luxury hotels, resorts, or high-end standalone restaurants. Proven track record in menu engineering, food cost control, and operational management. Experience managing large culinary teams in a high-volume environment. Strong understanding of international cuisines and dietary requirements. Excellent leadership, communication, coaching, and organizational skills. Knowledge of kitchen management systems, inventory controls, and purchasing procedures. Advanced knowledge of food safety standards and HACCP requirements. Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, multicultural environment. Fluency in English; additional languages are an advantage. Preferred Experience Experience opening or repositioning Italian restaurants within luxury hospitality environments. Experience working in island resorts, destination resorts, or luxury lifestyle hospitality brands. Strong network within the international culinary community and awareness of emerging food trends.

Oversee all culinary operations across the resort, ensuring alignment with brand standards and operational excellence. Lead the development and execution of authentic Italian cuisine concepts, menus, and dining experiences. Ensure consistency and the highest standards in food quality, taste, presentation, and temperature across all kitchens. Drive innovation in menus, concepts, and food presentation to enhance guest experience and market positioning. Collaborate with Marketing and F&B leadership to develop promotions, campaigns, and destination dining experiences. Maintain and improve kitchen operations to maximize profitability while ensuring high guest satisfaction. Ensure effective communication and alignment across all culinary teams. Monitor and manage stock levels, purchasing, receiving, and storage to meet company standards and control costs. Ensure all goods purchased comply with hotel specifications and quality standards. Lead and develop culinary teams through training, coaching, succession planning, and performance management. Ensure compliance with HACCP guidelines, hygiene standards, and food safety regulations. Promote best practices in kitchen operations, cleanliness, and grooming standards. Build strong cross-functional relationships with F&B, Operations, Sales & Marketing, and other departments. Identify opportunities for efficiency improvements, cost optimization, and operational excellence. Stay updated on culinary trends, particularly within Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, and implement relevant innovations. Lead by example, fostering a positive, engaged, and high-performing team culture.