Junior Sous Chef - Specialty Pizza

Over the past two decades, The First Group has forged a reputation as one of the hospitality industry’s leading innovators, providing groundbreaking investment opportunities to clients and partners, while delivering exceptional, memorable experiences to hotel and leisure guests. Our corporate ethos and unique vision for the future of hospitality is encapsulated in our fast-growing portfolio of award-winning hotels and residences, exciting F&B outlets and lifestyle venues, and delivered through our array of complementary third-party hotel and asset management services.

Core to our vision for the future of hospitality is The First Collection, our award-winning hotel brand that reflects the rich culture, innovative spirit, and unparalleled refinement for which Dubai is famous for.The First Collection’s urban lifestyle resorts, situated in prime locations across Dubai, are renowned for their unique blend of world-class hospitality and modern flair, as well as their cutting-edge guest facilities and services, which include exclusive access to the stunning Soluna Restaurants and Beach Club, located on the world-famous Palm Jumeirah.

Every hotel in our fast-growing portfolio reflects our ambition to capture the essence of urban living, blending it seamlessly with the tranquillity of a serene getaway.

The First Collection echoes the city’s heartbeat, ensuring all our guests are made to feel a part of the magnificent tapestry of Dubai, the world’s most exciting metropolis.

As a Junior Sous Chef specializing in pizza, you will be responsible for managing the preparation and production of specialty pizzas within the hotel’s kitchen. Working under the guidance of the Executive Chef or Sous Chef, you will help maintain high standards of quality, consistency, and presentation for all pizza-related items. Your role will involve overseeing the pizza section of the kitchen, managing inventory, assisting in training staff, and ensuring that the preparation of specialty pizzas meets the hotel’s culinary standards while maintaining a smooth kitchen operation.

• Prepare and cook specialty pizzas according to hotel standards, ensuring that all recipes are followed accurately.
• Develop and execute creative and unique pizza recipes, incorporating seasonal ingredients and local flavors.
• Ensure pizzas are consistently prepared and presented to a high standard in terms of taste, texture, and appearance.
• Manage pizza dough preparation, ensuring quality and consistency in each batch, and maintain proper dough fermentation and storage.
• Supervise and guide junior kitchen staff, particularly in the pizza section, ensuring they are trained in pizza preparation, oven techniques, and food safety.
• Provide mentorship to kitchen team members, offering feedback and support to improve their skills.
• Coordinate the kitchen staff during peak hours, ensuring smooth operations and timely delivery of pizza orders.
• Assist in developing and conducting training programs for new employees or for those seeking to enhance their pizza-making skills.
• Work closely with the Executive Chef or Sous Chef to develop new pizza offerings and seasonal specials that align with the hotel’s culinary direction.
• Suggest creative pizza concepts, including unique toppings, crust variations, and presentation techniques.
• Help in updating and refreshing the pizza menu to meet guests' preferences and dining trends.
• Assist in testing new pizza recipes and refining existing ones to maintain high-quality standards.
• Assist in managing pizza section inventory, ensuring that all ingredients are fresh, of high quality, and properly stored.
• Monitor stock levels of pizza ingredients such as dough, cheese, sauces, meats, vegetables, and herbs, placing orders when necessary.
• Ensure proper stock rotation and minimize food waste through effective portion control and inventory management.
• Ensure that all pizza-making equipment, including pizza ovens, tools, and utensils, are maintained and cleaned according to safety standards.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and health regulations in the pizza section of the kitchen.
• Maintain a clean and organized work environment, adhering to proper cleaning schedules for all pizza-making equipment and kitchen surfaces.
• Monitor kitchen staff to ensure that all food preparation areas, including the pizza station, meet hygiene and safety standards.
• Implement proper handling and storage techniques for perishable ingredients to ensure freshness and prevent contamination.
• Monitor the quality of pizzas produced, ensuring consistency in size, flavor, texture, and presentation.
• Address any quality issues or discrepancies promptly and work with the kitchen team to resolve them.
• Ensure that pizza orders are completed in a timely manner and meet guest expectations in terms of flavor, temperature, and presentation.
• Communicate effectively with other kitchen staff, service teams, and hotel management to ensure a seamless guest experience.
• Coordinate with the front-of-house team to ensure efficient and accurate pizza orders, especially during high-demand periods.
• Participate in daily briefings and contribute ideas to improve kitchen efficiency and guest satisfaction.
• Ensure that all guest pizza orders, including special requests (e.g., dietary preferences, allergies, customization), are prepared accurately and promptly.
• Engage with guests when appropriate to receive feedback on pizza offerings and to enhance their dining experience.

• Culinary degree or certification in a related field.
• Minimum 2-3 years of experience in a pizza kitchen, with at least 1 year in a leadership role in a hotel as Junior Sous Chef or Pizza Chef.
• Experience working in a hotel/pizzeria environment.
• Proven experience as a pizza chef, Junior Sous Chef, or in a similar role, with strong knowledge and experience in preparing specialty pizzas.
• Proficiency in pizza-making techniques, including dough preparation, sauce creation, and use of a pizza oven (wood-fired or conventional).
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to guide and train kitchen staff.
• Creativity and a passion for developing new and innovative pizza recipes.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced kitchen environment, especially during peak service times.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and maintain a high level of attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of food safety and sanitation practices, including safe handling of pizza ingredients and equipment.