Executive Chef at Wirgan Searching for a chef role with real impact? The Executive Chef position at Wirgan offers a thrilling leadership opportunity within a fast-growing hospitality group in Makkah. In this role, you will shape menus, lead kitchen teams, and deliver exceptional dining experiences for guests, events, and banquets. If you’re a creative, organized culinary professional with strong leadership skills, this role could be the next step in your gastronomic career.
About the Company
Wirgan is a dynamic hospitality brand founded in 2021 and headquartered in Al Aziziya, Makkah, with a team of 50–200 passionate professionals. The company operates luxury hotels, banquet halls, and restaurant venues that cater to both pilgrims and local visitors. Through strategic expansions such as pre‑opening Wirgan al‑Nour properties, the brand is building a reputation for offering elegant, culturally rich hospitality experiences.
In its mission, Wirgan combines tradition with modern hospitality to create memorable guest journeys. The core values include excellence in service, cultural respect, innovation in culinary arts, and community engagement—evident in their Ramadan communal iftars, national day celebrations, and flu vaccination drives for staff . By nurturing a collaborative work environment and focusing on guest-centered service, Wirgan stands as a respected name within the Makkah hospitality sector.
Job Summary
As Executive Chef at Wirgan, you will be at the helm of all culinary operations. You will design and execute menus for daily dining, high-volume banquets, corporate events, and religious pilgrim services. Your role is pivotal in upholding quality, consistency, and innovation across kitchen teams and venues.
This position is suite for a strategic culinary leader with deep hospitality sector experience. You will manage kitchen staff, control budgets, oversee inventory, and set food safety standards. The role demands strong collaboration with event planners, purchasing teams, and management. Ideal candidates thrive under pressure, love mentoring, and maintain a sharp eye for culinary trends aligned with cultural and guest expectations.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop, plan, and update menus for dining outlets, banquets, and special events.
- Oversee daily kitchen operations across multiple venues.
- Lead, mentor, and train sous-chefs, cooks, and support staff.
- Manage food cost, portion control, and kitchen budgets efficiently.
- Coordinate with suppliers to ensure ingredient quality and negotiate pricing.
- Ensure full compliance with HACCP, hygiene, and safety regulations.
- Create staffing rosters to meet operational demands and seasonal needs.
- Monitor inventory levels and conduct regular stock audits.
- Collaborate with event/banquet teams to deliver tailored culinary experiences.
- Handle guest feedback and complaints constructively.
- Drive creativity by introducing seasonal and culturally relevant dishes.
- Implement waste reduction and resource optimization initiatives.
Required Qualifications and Skills
The successful candidate will possess a culinary degree or equivalent certification, with at least 4–6 years’ experience in senior kitchen roles, including executive-level leadership in a hospitality setting. You should demonstrate strong financial acumen in cost control, budgeting, and procurement. Excellent menu design, food presentation, and flavor profiling are essential. Leadership traits include excellent communication, team coaching, stress resilience, and decisive problem-solving. Proficiency in HACCP and food safety standards is mandatory. Prior experience with large-scale events, pilgrim services, or banquet catering is highly advantageous.
Work Environment & Culture
At Wirgan, you will operate in a culturally rich, fast-paced hospitality environment in the heart of Makkah. Kitchens are modern and well‑equipped, serving a diverse clientele including pilgrims, corporate guests, and banquet attendees. The culture emphasizes teamwork, respect for cultural traditions, and collaborative execution during religious seasons. The leadership team encourages innovation, feedback, and staff welfare. You will be supported by a professional brigade, procurement staff, and event planners in a cohesive, purpose-driven environment.
Salary & Benefits
Wirgan offers competitive compensation aligned with senior culinary roles in Makkah, including a base salary commensurate with experience. Benefits typically include accommodation or housing allowance, health insurance, end-of-service gratuity, and annual leave. Performance-related bonuses and allowances for overtime and special events may apply. Additionally, the role includes staff meals, uniform provision, and opportunities to attend culinary training or workshops.
Training & Growth Opportunities
New Executive Chefs undergo onboarding with brand standards, kitchen systems, and venue specifics. Wirgan prioritizes continuous development through chef-led training, cuisine innovation programs, and mentoring new cooks. The company supports advancement into regional culinary leadership, multi-venue operations management, or executive roles within the growing hotel group. Regular performance reviews and target-based incentives promote career progression.
Job Type & Contract Details
This is a full-time, on-site leadership role based in Makkah. Contracts align with Saudi labor law and are typically renewable, with provision for expatriates requiring company-sponsored work visas. Working hours will accommodate service demands and religious calendar seasons. You will receive official annual leave, sick leave, and national holidays as per regulations.
How to Apply
To apply for the Executive Chef position at Wirgan Hotel Al Madinah, start by preparing your updated CV and a professional culinary portfolio that highlights your kitchen leadership experience. A well-written cover letter tailored to the role will also strengthen your application. Once your documents are ready, visit the trusted job platform Bayt.com and search for the Executive Chef role under Wirgan Hotel listings. Make sure your Bayt profile is fully complete before submitting your application. You can find the official job listing and apply directly by following this link:
Submitting your application through this platform ensures it reaches the employer professionally and securely.
Why Join Wirgan
Joining Wirgan allows you to lead culinary operations in a culturally significant, fast-growing hospitality brand. You will exercise creative control, mentor talented teams, and design menus that resonate with local traditions and international guests. Stability, strong benefits, and clear growth paths make this role ideal for chefs seeking both career and life enrichment in Saudi Arabia.
FAQs
- Is experience in religious or pilgrim catering required?
A: Experience is preferred. Cultural sensitivity and service adaptability during pilgrimage seasons are important. - Will I receive visa sponsorship?
A: Yes—Wirgan provides work visa sponsorship for eligible candidates. - How many staff will I manage?
A: You’ll oversee sous chefs, line cooks, kitchen assistants, and interns—team size varies by venue. - Are working hours fixed?
A: Hours vary with demand, religious events, and banquet schedules; flexibility is expected. - Is there opportunity for culinary creativity?
A: Yes—you’re encouraged to innovate seasonally and culturally across menus. - What food safety systems are in place?
A: Full HACCP compliance is required, including regular audits and kitchen training. - Do I need a culinary degree?
A: A degree or equivalent certification is required, along with strong executive chef experience. - How soon can I expect feedback?
A: Candidates are typically contacted within 2–3 weeks of application submission. - Are there language requirements?
A: Proficiency in English is expected; Arabic is an advantage. - Can I join from overseas?
A: Yes—international applicants are welcome, pending visa approval and relocation support.