About the Role: Responsibilities, Skills, and Requirements
Ever wondered what it’s like to bring comfort and joy to a family through food every single day? We’re looking for a Female Cook to join a warm Egyptian household on beautiful Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi. If you’re passionate about Arabic and Continental cuisine, skilled in the kitchen, and eager for a live-in role where your talents will be appreciated, this could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.
About the Family
This isn’t your typical employer — you’ll be joining a lively Egyptian family that values tradition, togetherness, and the simple pleasures of a home-cooked meal. Meals are central to family life here, and your dishes will be at the heart of daily routines and special gatherings alike. The home is on Saadiyat Island, offering a peaceful, safe environment and a genuine sense of community. Expect plenty of gratitude, respect for your work, and an environment where your culinary creativity is encouraged. And yes, family gatherings often end with good conversation over tea.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Preparing daily meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) with a focus on authentic Arabic and Continental recipes
- Planning weekly menus in collaboration with the family, taking preferences and dietary needs into account
- Managing grocery shopping and pantry organization — you’ll have a say in the freshest ingredients
- Keeping the kitchen clean, tidy, and organized, with attention to detail in food safety and hygiene
- Occasionally preparing special dishes for family events or guests
- Adapting recipes or trying new ones based on family feedback (they love a creative twist!)
- Communicating with household staff (where applicable) to coordinate meal times and logistics
- Writing clear shopping lists and occasionally helping with basic meal-related errands
What You’ll Bring
- Solid hands-on experience with Arabic and Continental cuisine — you know your way around both classic and contemporary dishes
- Ability to read, write, and communicate clearly in English (this is important for following recipes and grocery lists)
- Friendly, positive attitude — you’re as comfortable chatting with family members as you are focusing on your cooking
- Reliability and trustworthiness; the family is looking for someone they can count on every day
- Willingness to live in, with flexibility for the occasional longer day during special occasions
Nice-to-Haves:
- Conversational Arabic skills (a real plus, but not a must)
- Prior experience working in a home setting or for international families
- A little adventurousness in the kitchen — maybe you have a signature dish you’d love to share!
Not sure you tick every box? We’d still love to hear from you.
Why You’ll Love Working Here
- Live-in position on Saadiyat Island — safe, comfortable, and close to the beach
- Twice per month days off, with basic necessities (accommodation, food, utilities) all provided
- Respectful, family-oriented environment where your efforts are genuinely valued
- Salary ranging from AED 2,000 to 3,000 per month, based on experience
- Opportunity to introduce your favorite recipes and make a real impact on daily family life
- Supportive atmosphere — you’ll be treated as a key member of the household
If you’re looking for a stable role in a warm, welcoming home (with plenty of opportunities to show off your cooking skills), you’ll find this family appreciates dedication and a good sense of humor. It really is a chance to make a house feel like home — one meal at a time.
Common Interview Questions and Tips
To help you prepare and feel confident, here are some questions you might encounter during the interview process for this role.
- Can you walk us through your experience preparing both Arabic and Continental dishes? Which are your favorites to cook and why?
- How do you approach planning weekly menus, especially when considering family preferences and dietary restrictions?
- Tell us about a time you introduced a new or creative recipe to a family or employer. How was it received, and did you make any adjustments based on feedback?
- What steps do you take to ensure food safety and maintain an organized, clean kitchen environment?
- How do you manage grocery shopping and pantry organization to ensure you always have fresh ingredients on hand?
- Describe how you would handle preparing meals for a larger family gathering or special event. What’s your process for scaling dishes and managing timing?
- If a family member requested a special dish you aren’t familiar with, how would you go about learning and preparing it confidently?
- Can you share an example of a time you had to adapt quickly to a change in schedule or meal request? How did you handle it?
- In your previous roles, how have you communicated and coordinated with other household staff or family members around meal times and kitchen logistics?
- How do you balance taking initiative in the kitchen with respecting the tastes and traditions of the family you’re cooking for?
- What does trustworthiness mean to you in a live-in role, and how do you build that trust with the family you work for?
- Working in a family home can sometimes mean longer or unexpected hours, especially during special occasions. How do you manage your energy and maintain a positive attitude in these situations?
- This family loves good conversation and togetherness. How comfortable are you engaging with family members and contributing to the friendly, relaxed atmosphere of the home?
- If you could introduce one of your signature dishes to the family, what would it be and what makes it special to you?