Sous Chef - Italian Restaurant

About Raffles & Fairmont Doha

Raffles Hotels & Resorts is a historic luxury brand established in 1887, known for creating culturally rich and memorable experiences with respect for local communities and heritage. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts operates a global network of high-end properties characterized by exceptional service and distinct local ambiance. Both brands are united within the iconic Katara Towers in Doha, providing luxurious hospitality marked by elegance, warmth, and customer focus, fostering a dynamic environment for hospitality professionals.

Position Overview

The role of Sous Chef for the Italian Restaurant at Raffles Doha involves supporting the culinary leadership to deliver authentic and sophisticated Italian cuisine. The Sous Chef ensures consistency, creativity, and high operational standards while mentoring the team to generate exceptional dining experiences that align with the prestigious Raffles brand.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist the Chef De Cuisine in managing daily kitchen operations for the Italian restaurant.
• Ensure preparation and presentation of dishes follow prescribed recipes, portion guidelines, and presentation quality.
• Maintain culinary authenticity and consistent quality across all menu items.
• Oversee food preparation techniques, plating standards, and service quality within the kitchen.
• Contribute to menu development, including seasonal specialties and innovative Italian culinary concepts.
• Ensure efficient kitchen workflow during service periods while upholding luxury hospitality standards.
• Monitor food quality, freshness, and adherence to storage protocols in line with food safety and HACCP regulations.
• Maintain cleanliness, organization, and readiness of kitchen workspaces, equipment, and storage facilities.
• Assist with inventory control, procurement processes, and waste minimization to optimize costs.
• Provide leadership, training, and motivation to culinary staff to foster professional growth and high performance.
• Help manage recruitment, scheduling, performance evaluation, and coaching of kitchen personnel as needed.
• Collaborate closely with culinary and front-of-house teams to ensure smooth and memorable guest service.
• Support the execution of VIP events, private dining, and custom culinary requests with attention to detail and professionalism.
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of Italian ingredients, cooking methods, current market trends, and luxury dining expectations.
• Adhere strictly to all health, hygiene, safety, and operational standards.
• Exhibit professionalism, creativity, leadership, and meticulousness throughout kitchen operations and food presentation.

Qualifications

• A diploma or certificate in Culinary Arts or a related specialty is preferred.
• Between 4 to 6 years of culinary experience, including supervisory roles within Italian cuisine settings or luxury hospitality.
• Experience in Michelin-starred establishments is an advantage.
• Thorough knowledge of authentic Italian culinary traditions, kitchen management, and luxury service expectations.
• Strong understanding and practice of food safety, hygiene, and HACCP requirements.
• Capability to lead and work effectively in fast-paced culinary environments.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and team management abilities.
• Professional demeanor with a strong passion for culinary artistry and guest satisfaction.
• Fluency in English is required; additional languages are beneficial.

Additional Information

Employee Benefits: Staff enjoy exclusive perks such as complimentary room upgrades, extended and discounted stays across Fairmont and Raffles properties, special offers on dining and wellness services, and other luxuries designed to reward team efforts.

Core Values: Respect, Excellence, Belonging, Empowerment, and Integrity guide the workplace culture, emphasizing fairness, exceptional guest experiences, inclusivity, initiative, and authenticity.

Diversity & Inclusion: The organization is committed to fostering an inclusive atmosphere welcoming candidates of all backgrounds to thrive in their hospitality careers.