Chef de Cuisine (Asian and Seafood Specialty)

Role summary

Written by MyIslandJob from the job title and employer. See the employer's page for the full description.

The Chef de Cuisine leads the Asian and seafood specialty kitchen, overseeing menu development, food preparation, presentation, quality, and kitchen operations. Candidates are expected to have substantial experience in luxury hotels, resorts, or high-end restaurants, with strong knowledge of Asian cuisines and seafood handling. The role requires proven leadership, team-training, inventory and cost-control skills, and a thorough understanding of food safety and hygiene standards. The successful candidate should be creative, organized, commercially aware, and able to maintain consistent standards during busy service periods. Experience with international hospitality brands and familiarity with Indonesian ingredients or culinary preferences would be advantageous.

About the employer

The Westin Nirup Island Resort & Spa is a luxury Marriott International resort located on Nirup Island, near Batam in Indonesia's Riau Islands. The Westin brand focuses on wellbeing, offering restorative accommodation, quality dining, spa services, fitness facilities, and experiences designed to help guests feel better while travelling. Set on a private island surrounded by tropical waters, the resort caters to leisure travellers, families, groups, and premium regional visitors, particularly from Singapore and nearby Indonesia. As part of Marriott International, the property follows global standards for guest service, food quality, safety, employee development, and operational excellence. Culinary team members work in a resort environment where creativity, consistency, hospitality, and collaboration are important. The position offers exposure to international guests and the opportunity to develop a specialty dining operation in a distinctive island setting.

Working in Indonesia

Indonesia offers varied island lifestyles, from busy tourism hubs such as Bali and Batam to quieter resort islands in the Riau archipelago. Hospitality provides many opportunities for chefs, restaurant professionals, spa staff, engineers, marine operators, and hotel managers, especially in international resorts. Local culture values community, respect, family, and religious diversity; modest dress and considerate behaviour are appreciated. Island life can be relaxed and scenic, with warm weather, beaches, seafood, water activities, and a slower pace, although shopping, healthcare, and entertainment may be limited on smaller islands. Foreign employees normally need employer sponsorship and the appropriate Indonesian work permit and stay visa before beginning employment. Employers may arrange accommodation, meals, transport, insurance, and flights, but this should be confirmed in the contract. Batam is relatively accessible from Singapore, while transfers to resort islands may involve boats or ferries.