International Executive Chef | Barrafina Group | Middle East and Asia

We’re looking for an exceptional International Executive Chef to lead, protect and evolve the Barrafina culinary brand as we grow internationally across the Middle East & Asia. This is a senior leadership role at the heart of Barrafina, working closely with our Global Managing Director and Leadership Team to shape the future of one of London’s most loved Spanish restaurant brands across multiple international markets.

As Barrafina expands through premium licensed partnerships across the UAE and South East Asia, this role will act as the senior culinary authority and brand guardian, ensuring every restaurant delivers food that is unmistakably Barrafina, while being thoughtfully adapted to local culture, produce and seasonality.

Meaningful Rewards at Harts Group

·       International Executive Chef Salary: The salary would be 28,900 AED per month (equivalent to £5,833 and tax-free) plus potential bonuses.

·       This role will be based in the UAE

·       Extensive international travel as part of the role

·       Working closely with a passionate, ambitious leadership team

·       50% off food & drink across all Harts Group venues

·       Enhanced maternity & paternity packages

·       Access to Hospitality Action for wellbeing support

·       CODE membership with industry-leading hospitality discounts

·       Learn a new language with access to Babbel language courses

·       Access to Wagestream, allowing you to access your wages early and manage your money

·       Working with a supportive, inclusive group where you can be yourself and grow your career

International Executive Chef role

As a core member of the Barrafina Leadership Team, you will be responsible for protecting, developing and globally deploying the Barrafina culinary identity as the brand expands across Middle East and Asia markets.

You will lead menu development across all international sites, support new restaurant openings, and work closely with licensed partners to ensure consistency, quality and creativity,  while balancing commercial performance and brand integrity.

Key responsibilities

• Acting as the senior culinary lead across all international Barrafina restaurants

• Developing opening menus and overseeing ongoing menu evolution across markets

• Translating Barrafina’s Spanish culinary DNA with sensitivity to local produce and culture

• Leading tastings, menu development sessions and BOH workshops

• Creating and maintaining global recipe books, plating guides and kitchen standards

• Supporting international openings, including BOH layouts, equipment and supplier selection

• Approving senior BOH hires including Head Chefs and Sous Chefs

• Visiting each international restaurant regularly to train, audit and support teams

• Partnering with Operations, Finance and People teams on KPIs, GP, performance and growth

• Supporting menu costing, menu engineering and commercial optimisation

• Building global training frameworks and long-term culinary capability

• Championing food safety, sustainability and brand standards across all markets

The International Executive Chef

• Senior international culinary leadership experience as a Culinary Director, Global Culinary Director or Executive Chef

• Deep expertise in Spanish cuisine with strong multi-site menu development experience

• Experience working within licensed or partnership-led restaurant models

• Commercially aware, strategic and confident at leadership level

• A credible, collaborative leader who builds trust across cultures and teams

• Brand-focused, creative and disciplined in execution

• Excited by international travel and staying closely connected to the London business

Harts Group Way

We’re excited to hear from candidates who bring curiosity, commitment and a passion for hospitality. We believe in creating an inclusive, diverse, and equal workplace where everyone is valued. In return, we offer competitive salaries, opportunities for career development, and continuous training, all within a supportive and friendly team where camaraderie and mutual respect are at the heart of everything we do.

Apply for the International Executive Chef role today and a dedicated member of our Talent team will be in touch.