Culinary Director, One & Only One Za'abeel 
(18822)

At One&Only, we exist to create joy for our guests through anticipation, creativity, precision, empathy and warmth. We tailor every aspect of our guests’ stay to bring their dreams and desires to life. With an atmosphere that’s chic but wonderfully unstuffy™, and a team who are meticulous but warm, we seek to exceed our guests’ expectations at every possible turn. 

Behold the dawn of a new, all-encompassing resort experience in Dubai – One&Only One Za’abeel. A vibrant hub for business, a magnetic stage for entertainment, and a haven for inner-city wellness, this new Dubai resort will be more than a trailblazing icon of the skyline, and it will be an utterly unrivalled urban oasis. With abundant knowledge and generosity, we anticipate our guest’s every need and surpass expectations. Whether we are designing the perfect family day out or arranging a romantic private dinner, we approach everything with imagination to spark a sense of playfulness, discovery and adventure. This is not simply our job, it’s our passion.

Join one of the world’s most iconic ultra‑luxury hospitality brands as our Director of Culinary, leading a vibrant and passionate team dedicated to delivering extraordinary gastronomy. One&Only offers a fully immersive dining experience, featuring Michelin‑star‑led concepts, collaborations with world‑renowned chefs, and globally celebrated restaurant brands. This is a rare opportunity to craft unforgettable culinary moments in an environment defined by innovation, excellence, and exceptional guest journeys.

About the Role

As the Director of Culinary, you will oversee all culinary operations, ensuring consistent excellence in food quality, presentation, and creativity across every outlet. You will partner closely with the Director of Food & Beverage, lead the strategic development of menus and concepts, and ensure that all safety, hygiene, and HACCP standards are upheld at the highest level. This role requires a visionary leader who is both operationally strong and creatively driven, with the ability to inspire large, diverse teams while maintaining impeccable brand standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the resort’s culinary teams, setting clear standards and ensuring exceptional delivery across all kitchens.
• Direct the creation and evolution of menus, new dishes, and culinary concepts that align with the resort’s luxury positioning.
• Ensure consistent mise‑en‑place, smooth daily operations, and timely food requisitions.
• Champion hygiene, safety, and HACCP compliance, ensuring all back‑of‑house areas and equipment are impeccably maintained.
• Manage inventory, control food cost, monitor wastage, and conduct monthly physical asset inventories.
• Oversee departmental performance, conduct regular briefings, and provide ongoing coaching and professional development.
• Participate actively in resort promotions, special events, and signature culinary experiences.
• Work closely with F&B and other leaders to ensure strong communication, smooth service flow, and outstanding guest satisfaction.
• Lead staffing efforts including recruitment, scheduling, performance appraisals, training, and disciplinary processes when required.
• Handle guest feedback professionally, ensuring timely service recovery and meaningful engagement.
• Ensure all culinary activities are delivered ethically, safely, and in full compliance with UAE law and resort policies.

Requirements

• Culinary Diploma with at least 15 years of progressive international experience, ideally within 5‑star luxury hotels.
• Expertise across multiple cuisines and kitchen environments, including banqueting, main kitchen, and specialty outlets.
• Intermediate HACCP certification.
• Strong leadership capabilities and a proven ability to manage large teams.
• Fluent English and solid computer proficiency.
• Completion of a recognized leadership program is an advantage.

Join Us

If you are a visionary culinary leader who blends creativity with operational excellence, we invite you to bring your expertise to a world‑renowned luxury brand and create extraordinary dining experiences with us.

Our brand is expanding faster than ever before. We are investing in the growth of our company, and that means we are committed to investing in you. Join a team that is open-hearted, intuitive, generous, and spontaneous in spirit. We believe in making our guests happy beyond anything they have ever imagined. We wow them at every turn and create memories that will last a lifetime. You will be at the heart of this vision, to constantly innovate to deliver Amazing Experiences and Everlasting Memories.