Director of Culinary at InterContinental Residences Dubai Business Bay

We’re seeking a visionary culinary leader to take charge of all culinary operations at InterContinental Residences Dubai Business Bay. As Director of Culinary, you’ll inspire creativity, drive excellence, and lead a world-class team to deliver exceptional dining experiences that define the property’s gastronomic identity. This is your opportunity to shape menus, elevate guest experiences, and leave your mark within one of the world’s most prestigious hospitality brands.

InterContinental Residences Dubai Business Bay is nestled in the heart of Dubai’s bustling business district, providing a sanctuary of tranquillity amidst the city’s vibrant landmarks. Located just moments from the iconic Dubai Mall and the awe-inspiring Burj Khalifa, our property embodies the epitome of luxury and sophistication. With 176 meticulously designed rooms, each offering unparalleled comfort and style, guests are immersed in a world of grandeur that reflects the timeless elegance and excellence of the InterContinental brand.

The Director of Culinary leads the strategic direction and operational excellence of all culinary functions at InterContinental Residences Dubai Business Bay, ensuring world-class quality, innovation, and consistency across every dining experience. This role calls for a visionary culinary professional with extensive experience in luxury hospitality — someone capable of inspiring creativity, upholding exceptional standards, and delivering memorable dining experiences that define the InterContinental legacy.

A little taste of your day-to-day

Every day is different, but you’ll mostly be:

Leadership & Strategy

• Develop and implement the overall culinary strategy and vision for the property, ensuring alignment with IHG Luxury & Lifestyle brand standards.
• Lead and inspire a team of culinary professionals to deliver exceptional dining experiences across all outlets, in-room dining, and banquets.
• Ensure culinary operations meet Forbes standards and elevate the guest experience to new benchmarks of luxury.
• Collaborate closely with the F&B Manager and Cluster 
• General Manager on concept development, brand initiatives, and guest experience innovations.

Pre-Opening Responsibilities

• Drive all pre-opening culinary planning including kitchen layout, OS&E selection, recruitment, and supplier sourcing.
• Develop menus, SOPs, and operational workflows aligned with IHG and Forbes service standards.
• Coordinate with technical, design, and project teams to ensure smooth handover and readiness for launch.
• Conduct pre-opening tastings, staff onboarding, and training programs to establish the brand culture and operational standards.

Operational Excellence

• Manage daily culinary operations for the property and support cluster-level activities as required.
• Ensure consistent food quality, presentation, and innovation across all F&B venues.
• Maintain full compliance with HACCP, Dubai Municipality regulations, and IHG Food Safety standards.
• Collaborate with F&B and Marketing teams to design seasonal menus, promotions, and events reflecting market trends and guest preferences.

Financial & Business Management

• Develop and manage the culinary department budget, optimizing profitability while maintaining brand quality standards.
• Monitor and control food cost, labour efficiency, and revenue performance.
• Oversee procurement and vendor relations to ensure sustainable and cost-effective sourcing.

Talent Development & Culture

• Recruit, train, and mentor a diverse culinary team to achieve excellence and career growth.
• Create a culture of teamwork, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Lead by example, maintaining high standards of discipline, creativity, and integrity.

What We Need from You

Qualification & Experience

• Education: Degree or Diploma in Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, or related discipline.
• Experience:
  • Minimum 10–12 years of progressive culinary experience in luxury hotels or residences.
  • Proven track record in both pre-opening and operational hotel environments.
  • Previous experience in Forbes Five-Star, Michelin-recognized, or ultra-luxury hospitality brands.
  • Cluster or multi-property leadership experience is an advantage.
• Skills & Competencies:
  • Strong strategic, creative, and leadership capabilities.
  • Exceptional knowledge of international cuisines, fine dining trends, and modern culinary techniques.
  • Excellent financial acumen and understanding of high-end culinary operations.
  • Ability to build relationships across multicultural teams and luxury clientele.
• Certifications:
  • HACCP / Food Safety certification required.
  • Forbes Hospitality or Luxury Service Training certification preferred.

Personal Attributes

• Visionary leader with a passion for culinary innovation and luxury dining.
• Results-driven, disciplined, and detail-oriented with strong operational insight.
• Confident communicator who inspires excellence and collaboration.
• Embodies the InterContinental brand values of sophistication, authenticity, and cultural connection.

What You Can Expect from Us

We give our people everything they need to succeed — from a competitive salary that rewards all your hard work to a wide range of benefits designed to help you live your best work life. These include a full uniform, generous room discounts, and world-class training programs.

Our mission is to welcome everyone and create inclusive teams where we celebrate differences and encourage colleagues to bring their whole selves to work. IHG Hotels & Resorts provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.

We foster a culture of trust, support, and acceptance — always welcoming different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. At IHG, we give every member of our team the room they need to belong, grow, and make a difference in a collaborative environment.

We know that to work well, we need to feel well – both inside and outside of work. Through our myWellbeing framework, we’re committed to supporting wellbeing across your health, lifestyle, and workplace.

So, join us and become part of our ever-growing global family.

Don’t quite meet every single requirement but still believe you’d be a great fit for the role? We’d love to hear from you! Click Apply and start your journey with us today.