Head Chef

Mandarin Oriental Cristallo, Cortina is an upcoming luxury alpine resort set above the iconic mountain town of Cortina d’Ampezzo, in the heart of the UNESCO-listed Dolomites. Scheduled to open in Winter 2026, the resort will mark the debut of Mandarin Oriental in one of Italy’s most renowned mountain destinations, combining the legendary heritage of the Cristallo with Mandarin Oriental’s exceptional service, refined design, and award-winning hospitality.

The resort will feature elegantly appointed rooms and suites, exceptional dining experiences, a world-class Spa & Wellness Centre, and curated year-round experiences designed for discerning international travellers seeking the finest alpine luxury.

Joining the pre-opening team offers a unique opportunity to help shape one of Europe’s most anticipated luxury hotel openings, contributing to the creation of an extraordinary guest experience from day one.

About the Role

Based at Mandarin Oriental Cristallo, Cortina, the Head Chef – Colleague Restaurant is responsible for leading the culinary operation of the resort’s colleague restaurant, ensuring the consistent preparation and delivery of high-quality, nutritious and varied meals for all colleagues.

The role combines strong culinary leadership with effective planning, cost control and team management, ensuring that the colleague dining experience reflects Mandarin Oriental’s commitment to colleague wellbeing and operational excellence.

During the pre-opening phase, the Head Chef – Colleague Restaurant will play an important role in establishing the staff canteen operation, developing menus and production processes, supporting the setup of the kitchen, recruiting and training the team, and ensuring full operational readiness for the arrival of the resort’s opening team.

As a Head Chef – Colleague Restaurant, you will be responsible for the following duties:

Pre-Opening Responsibilities

• Support the setup and operational readiness of the colleague restaurant kitchen and related production areas prior to opening.
• Develop balanced, varied and cost-effective menu cycles suitable for a diverse and multicultural colleague population.
• Establish standard recipes, production procedures, portion controls and food presentation standards.
• Support the selection and commissioning of kitchen equipment, utensils and operating supplies.
• https://careers.mandarinoriental.com/jobs/head-chef-colleague-restaurant-staff-canteen-cortina-d-ampezzo-italy