DARREN ANDOW, EXECUTIVE CHEF, LE GRAY BEIRUT

has recently been appointed as the new executive chef of Le Gray, Beirut. With over 20 years of experience in the Middle East, Asia and Europe, Andow has a rich international hospitality background, with a particular passion for Lebanon and its culinary wealth of flavors and cultural diversity.

The country that left the biggest imprint on your cooking

The UAE. I spent 13 years there and, as a chef, you are exposed to so many different types of cuisine, due to the selection of restaurants in the hotels and with all the different nationalities you have in your team.

Excitement, family, lifestyle, opportunity, and finally learning Arabic.

I don’t really have a favorite; all types excite me, as long as the ingredients are fresh.

Spending time with my wife and newborn son, dining out and an afternoon on the golf course.