Executive Chef

About the role

We are seeking an exceptional Executive Chef to lead the culinary operation of Hyatt Regency Nairobi. This senior leadership position requires a proven hotel culinary professional who can blend creativity with commercial discipline, operational excellence and strong people leadership.

Key responsibilities

• Set and execute the hotel’s overall culinary strategy and direction across all outlets.
• Create menus from concept to execution, including recipe development, costing, presentation and menu engineering.
• Own food cost, kitchen profitability, purchasing, inventory, yield, portion control and waste management.
• Lead high‑volume banquets, conferences, events and peak‑period operations.
• Establish efficient kitchen systems, production planning and operational controls.
• Maintain exceptional standards of food quality, consistency, presentation, hygiene and food safety.
• Build, coach and develop a multicultural, multigenerational culinary team and succession pipeline.

Required profile

• Calm under pressure with clear decision‑making.
• Strategic thinker who can translate culinary vision into a commercially successful operation.
• Commercially astute with strong cost control and financial performance focus.
• Creative developer of compelling culinary concepts and menus.
• Confident, decisive leader influencing senior stakeholders.
• Problem‑solver who responds to challenges with practical solutions.

Required skills

• Menu development and engineering.
• Recipe development and costing.
• Food cost control and profitability management.
• Inventory, purchasing and yield management.
• Food safety and hygiene compliance.