3 QUESTIONS TO CHEF JOE BARZA

Lebanese celebrity chef Joe Barza is the new branding image of Hilton Hotels in the GCC and Africa. Here is what he said about his title.

1. What does becoming the branding image of Hilton mean to you as a chef and how would it translate in your business? Becoming the branding image of Hilton represents a chapter in a long story of success, which is still ongoing. I would call it the ‘cherry on the top of the cake’. The title will bring added value to my career. It is recognition of the hard work done both locally and abroad over the past years.

2. You are the first Middle Eastern chef to hold this title. What was involved in the selection process? I the first chef to hold this title in the Middle East, Turkey and East Africa. This is an international certification to Lebanese cuisine. It is the crowning of four successful years of consultancy undertaken with reputable hotels such as Conrad Cairo and Waldorf Astoria, among others. This proven record was behind the Hilton Group's decision to choose me to be their branding image.

3. How are you planning to introduce your food philosophy to Hilton? My loyalty to my ‘food terroir’ and passion for it are, in fact, the reasons I have been chosen by Hilton, bearing in mind that when it comes to taste, flavor and quality, Lebanese cuisine is today a strong competitor on the international culinary scene. Transmitting our healthy Lebanese culinary culture and maintaining consistently high standards are my main goals with Hilton and with every stakeholder in this industry.