The British Embassy Bahrain has a vacancy for Residence Chef, job grade Administrative Assistant (AA). 

Join one of the most important private households in Bahrain as a Residence Chef. We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated chef to help deliver exceptional cuisine in a refined, high-standard environment. From casual family meals to fine dining parties, you’ll create fresh, innovative options while being culturally sensitive and staying ahead of food trends. 

Duties and responsibilities: 

Menu Planning & Coordination

• Collaborate with the Residence Manager to plan menus for official events.
• Accommodate specific dietary needs, including allergies, religious restrictions, and personal preferences.
• Coordinate food preparation in line with the Residence diary to ensure timely service for all events
• Menus to include produce from the Residence’s vegetable garden with excess processed for future use
• Formulate ideas for food items suitable as gifts or for representational use.

Food Preparation & Presentation

• Prepare and present food to a consistently high standard, suitable for VIP-level guests
• Offer a wide variety of cuisines to cater to diverse tastes.
• Experiment with new recipes and suggest innovative dishes and ingredients.
• Ensure all dishes are within budget and wastage is kept to a minimum.

Kitchen Management

• Ensure kitchen systems and processes comply with all health and safety regulations (HACCP trained preferred).
• Maintain kitchen cleanliness and hygiene, including proper chemical storage (COSHH).
• Be responsible for the organisation of the kitchen, including cooking utensils and equipment, reporting issues to Events & Residence Manager.
• Conduct regular stock-takes and manage equipment, cleaning and food inventories efficiently.
• Create and maintain a recipe database
• Develop system for wastage reporting to ensure that all ingredients are fresh and safe to use, and that all wastage is kept to a minimum.
• Shop for food and domestic supplies, selecting high-quality items at the best prices.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers to ensure value for money.

Event & Residence Support

• Coordinate with Residence stewards to ensure timely and appropriate food service.
• Provide support to the Residence Manager and stewards for daily operations and events.
• Assist with general administration and event preparation as needed.
• Serve drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) behind the bar during events.
• Work with external caterers where necessary to ensure they meet Residence standards.

Professionalism & Flexibility

• Demonstrate a calm, meticulous, and professional approach to private household service.
• Be flexible and responsive to last-minute changes and requests.
• Respect and support colleagues, fostering a positive team environment.
• Manage workload effectively, using quieter periods to plan and restock where appropriate.

Wider Embassy contribution:

• The Job Holder, as with all members of staff, will contribute to the life of the Embassy community beyond their formal job description. This could include broader roles such as fire warden or joining a People Committee.
• The Job Holder will form part of crisis preparedness, exercising and any operational response.
• Respond flexibly and actively to evolving priorities and needs.

The above list is not exhaustive, and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required, carrying out additional duties according to business need.  

Key behaviours required: 

• Making Effective Decisions: Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.
• Managing a Quality Service: Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise, and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.
• Working Together: Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources, and support.
• Changing and Improving: Seek out opportunities to create effective change and suggest innovative ideas for improvement. Review ways of working, including seeking and providing feedback.

Qualifications, skills and experience: 

• Proven experience in high-level catering, including VIP and formal events.
• HACCP certification or equivalent food hygiene training.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Creativity and passion for culinary excellence.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.