The British chef, who was only recently promoted from his role of executive chef of the Burj-al-Arab to resort executive chef, will leave the luxury group at the end of May. He is expected to start the newly created role of executive chef at Sainsbury's on 1 July. He will be based in Holborn, London.

'Sainsbury's wanted somebody with a hotel/restaurant background as opposed to a development chef', Wood said. 'They were also looking for someone who had achieved a Michelin star, had worked in top hotels around the world and who was British. Although I wasn't really ready to move, having just been given a new role with Jumeirah and the Burj, I couldn't turn down such a fabulous opportunity.'

Wood will be developing the range of produce available in stores, strengthening links with both regional UK and international suppliers, and will oversee development chefs as well as develop the roles of the in-store theatre chefs. He will also be looking to Japan and the USA for transferable concepts to make Sainsbury's the market leader.

'I'm really excited by the move. The Jumeirah group is a great company to work for, so it has been a really difficult decision for me. But I always knew I wanted to return to the UK and there were lots of personal reasons for returning now. I've really missed the produce at home. Dubai's supply is getting better, but at the moment its produce doesn't really compare to what can be sourced in the UK and Europe.'

Wood's role of resort executive chef will not be filled, but the hotel group is expected to install two executive chefs.Before joining the Burj Al Arab, Wood was executive head chef at Cliveden in Berkshire, where he held a Michelin star.