GREAT BAY--The Setai St. Maarten has announced that its food and beverage operations are expected to create close to 135 jobs when the luxury resort opens at Indigo Bay in 2028, offering St. Maarten residents opportunities across restaurants, kitchens, bars, beach service and pool operations.
The positions will range from executive chefs, sous chefs and line cooks to servers, bartenders, sommeliers, pastry professionals and other culinary and service roles. The resort said the positions are intended to offer long-term careers, professional growth and exposure to international standards of luxury hospitality.
The culinary program will include a signature fine-dining restaurant led by Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse, Jaya, The Setai’s all-day signature restaurant featuring local and international flavours, and the Ocean Grill Beach Club. Food and beverage teams will also support the resort’s beach bar, pool service and other dining venues.
The Alain Ducasse restaurant is planned as the renowned chef’s first Caribbean concept, combining locally sourced ingredients with French techniques and influences from St. Maarten’s Dutch, French and Caribbean heritage.
“Food is at the heart of hospitality, and The Setai St. Maarten will be home to some of the finest dining in the Caribbean,” the resort said in announcing the employment outlook.
The Setai St. Maarten is currently under construction at Indigo Bay and will mark The Setai brand’s Caribbean debut. The project was previously known as Vie L’Ven before entering into a partnership with The Setai Hotels. It is being developed as a 205-key resort comprising hotel suites, private villas and residential accommodations, with completion expected in 2028.
The resort’s broader culinary offering is expected to include five restaurant concepts, with Ocean Grill Beach Club and Jaya inspired by established venues at The Setai, Miami Beach.
Beyond dining, the development is planned to feature three swimming pools, including an adults-only pool, a 30,000-square-foot destination spa, a beach club with cabanas and butler service, tennis and pickleball courts, water sports, children’s facilities and access to a protected nature reserve.
The Setai said the food and beverage positions will give local professionals the opportunity to learn from experienced culinary leaders while building careers without having to leave St. Maarten to access international-level training and exposure.
“These are real careers with room to grow, and the chance to learn from world-class culinary leadership right here at home,” the resort said.
The employment announcement forms part of a wider series through which The Setai will outline its anticipated staffing needs department by department. Upcoming information will focus on positions in housekeeping, laundry, front office and other areas responsible for guest services and resort operations.
The resort encouraged residents and hospitality professionals to follow its official channels for details on future vacancies, recruitment timelines and behind-the-scenes project updates.
“This is an investment in St. Maarten’s future. We are proud to build it here, with you,” The Setai said.
