Bonafide International Hospitality Recruitment is recruiting a Head of Culinary Development & Production for a growing, homegrown specialty coffee and café group with multiple locations across the UAE and further expansion planned.

Based in Sharjah, this hands-on leadership role combines creative menu development, recipe standardisation, food costing and selected central food production to support consistent quality across the group’s agreed outlets.

We are seeking an energetic, commercially aware chef who enjoys developing great food as much as leading and developing kitchen teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Menu Development: Create, test and refine dishes suited to the brand, its customers and kitchen capabilities.
• Recipe Standardisation: Develop accurately costed recipes with consistent portions, yields and presentation standards.
• Central Production: Plan and oversee selected food preparation and batch production for distribution to agreed outlets.
• Cost & Quality Control: Monitor ingredient usage, food costs, waste, hygiene, allergens and product quality.
• Team Leadership: Lead and coach kitchen teams to maintain consistent preparation, finishing and presentation.
• Operational Coordination: Work with purchasing, outlet and delivery colleagues to ensure effective production and product handovers.
• Continuous Improvement: Use customer feedback and menu performance to improve the food offering and support approved new openings.

Candidate Requirements

• Proven culinary experience within quality cafés, bakeries, fast-casual restaurants or comparable food operations.
• Demonstrated experience in menu development, recipe costing, standardisation and kitchen leadership.
• Practical knowledge of food safety, portion control, batch production and waste management.
• Strong creativity, commercial awareness, organisation and communication skills.
• Ability to lead by example and work effectively with multicultural kitchen and operations teams.
• Multi-outlet or central kitchen production experience is advantageous.
• UAE or GCC experience is preferred but not essential.

Suitable candidates may currently be Head Chefs, Culinary Development Chefs or strong Senior Sous Chefs ready to take on broader responsibilities.

Remuneration

AED – Competative, depending on relevant experience and capability.

Show Us Your Food

Candidates are requested to prepare a concise culinary portfolio featuring 3–5 dishes personally developed, limited to two A4 pages.

Include photographs where available, brief dish descriptions, where the dishes were served and your contribution to their creation.

Applications

To apply, please register or log in at www.bonafiderecruit.com, complete your professional profile and upload your latest CV.

Your culinary portfolio should also be provided through the application process, using an available attachment facility or portfolio link.

Applications will be reviewed against the position requirements, and shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

All applications will be treated confidentially. Direct email applications will not be accepted.