About the Role: Responsibilities, Skills, and Requirements
Ever found yourself yearning to be part of something brand new—right from the very beginning? There’s a certain thrill in joining a team that’s gearing up to open its doors for the first time, especially in a dynamic locale like Al Rigga, Dubai. Our soon-to-open high-end hotel restaurant is on the lookout for passionate professionals ready to shape memorable dining experiences. Whether your skills shine in the kitchen or on the dining floor, this is your chance to be at the heart of something extraordinary, right from day one.
About the Company
Think of us as more than just a restaurant. We’re the flagship dining venue of a brand-new luxury hotel in Al Rigga, setting our sights sky-high for culinary innovation and genuine hospitality. Here, collaboration isn’t just a buzzword—it’s how we function, regardless of job title. Picture a space where culinary artistry and seamless guest service go hand-in-hand, with a team that genuinely celebrates big wins and little victories (and maybe, just maybe, has a soft spot for creative team tastings on a Friday afternoon). If you thrive in environments where every detail matters and a sense of community comes first, you’ll feel right at home.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Hot Kitchen Chef: Crafting show-stopping dishes, leading kitchen team members, and ensuring each plate lives up to our high standards.
- Pastry Chef: Designing and baking elegant desserts and pastries, experimenting with flavors, and working closely with the kitchen team to plan seasonal menus.
- Fish Chef: Selecting and preparing premium seafood, training assistants in precise techniques, and keeping a sharp eye on product freshness.
- Kitchen Assistants/Assistants: Supporting chefs in prep work, keeping the kitchen sparkling clean, and stepping up wherever needed to keep things running smoothly.
- Barista: Creating specialty coffee drinks, learning (and sharing!) the stories behind our beans, and making every guest feel like their order is your top priority.
- Waiters/Waitresses: Welcoming guests, taking orders with confidence, and bringing warmth and personality to every table—while showing off your knowledge of our signature dishes.
What You’ll Bring
Must-Haves
- Prior hands-on experience in hotel restaurants or high-end dining (role-specific).
- Proficiency in English—especially crucial for front-of-house roles (Baristas, Waiters/Waitresses).
- A commitment to impeccable guest service, teamwork, and professionalism.
- Flexibility to work shifts, weekends, and holidays (hospitality never sleeps!).
- Willingness to contribute ideas, energy, and a positive attitude to a growing team.
Nice-to-Haves
- Multi-lingual skills—always helpful in an international city like Dubai.
- Experience opening a new restaurant or hotel venue.
- Creativity and initiative—your ideas could help define our early identity.
Not sure you tick every box? We’d still love to hear from you.
Why You’ll Love Working Here
- Competitive salaries tailored to experience and position.
- Brand-new facilities with top-of-the-line equipment.
- Opportunities for growth and promotion as we expand.
- Warm, tightly-knit team that values collaboration and mutual support.
- Staff meals, uniforms, and a focus on work-life balance.
- Modern approach—embracing feedback, flexible schedules, and a zero-tolerance policy for toxic work culture.
From opening night excitement to daily camaraderie, your new workplace could quickly feel like your second home. If you’re seeking more than just “a job” and want to be part of a team that genuinely takes pride in every detail, we’d love to meet you.
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 a time you’ve crafted a dish or beverage that truly wowed guests? What steps did you take to ensure it met high standards?
- How do you prioritize and stay organized during the pressure of a busy service, particularly in a high-end setting?
- For those with experience opening new venues: What challenges did you face during the initial launch phase, and how did you handle them?
- If you were responsible for training junior kitchen staff or new front-of-house team members, what approach would you use to build their skills and confidence?
- Describe your process for working with seasonal ingredients or introducing creative dishes to the menu. How do you collaborate with other team members during menu planning?
- Situationally, if a guest expressed dissatisfaction with their experience, how would you handle it to turn the situation around and uphold our reputation for exceptional hospitality?
- Tell us about a time you had to quickly adapt to a significant last-minute change—perhaps an unexpected rush or a missing ingredient. How did you and the team respond?
- Can you provide an example of when you actively supported a coworker, either in the kitchen or on the dining floor, to help ensure smooth service?
- How do you stay up-to-date with industry trends, whether in coffee, pastries, culinary techniques, or guest service?
- We’re aiming for a warm, collaborative atmosphere. What does good teamwork look like to you in a restaurant environment?
- Why do you think a sense of community is important in a hospitality team, especially in a brand-new venue?
- Working in a luxury hotel restaurant requires impeccable attention to detail. Can you share a moment when your focus on small details made a difference for a guest?
- How do you balance maintaining consistency in quality with seeking out opportunities for creativity and innovation?
- What motivates you to bring energy and positivity to your shifts, even during long or busy days?