Fares Chahine Honored as Judge's Choice for Culinary Director of the Year at the Middle East Chef Excellence Awards 2024

The gala event, held on June 7th at JW Marriott Dubai Marina and organized by Hozpitality Group, showcased Chahine's exceptional talent and steadfast dedication to the culinary arts. Ibrahim Yaqoot, Executive Director of Dubai Tourism and Economy, and Raj Bhatt, CEO of Hozpitality Group, presented the award, recognizing Chahine's significant contributions to the industry.

With over 30 years of experience, Fares Chahine has carved a niche as a visionary leader in culinary arts, known for his creative prowess, meticulous organizational skills, and robust leadership in back-of-house (BOH) and front-of-house (FOH) operations. His expertise spans diverse cuisines, including Lebanese, Arabic, Gulf, Mediterranean, vegan, vegetarian, and healthy food options, reflecting his versatility and commitment to culinary excellence.

Chahine's leadership extends beyond culinary creations to encompass comprehensive kitchen and operational management. He excels in menu creation for à la carte, banquet, buffet, fine dining, casual dining, and street food settings, ensuring each dish meets stringent quality standards. His multilingual proficiency facilitates seamless communication and coordination across culinary and administrative tasks, including estimating food requirements, managing food and labor costs, and overseeing inventory and supplier relationships.

Throughout his tenure as Culinary Director at Kaak Al Manara Holding Limited since April 2019, Chahine has been instrumental in setting and achieving the overall goals and objectives of the restaurants and food operations. His responsibilities encompass menu innovation, recruitment of top-tier culinary talent, meticulous budget planning, and financial oversight. Chahine's leadership extends to ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations, including HACCP standards, and maintaining impeccable kitchen hygiene and sanitation practices.

Prior to his current role, Chahine served as Brand Executive Chef for multiple outlets, where he achieved notable milestones such as stabilizing food costs over four years, implementing full HACCP systems, and spearheading successful pre-opening and opening initiatives for new dining establishments. His strategic insight and operational finesse have consistently driven business growth and garnered accolades, including the Best Middle Eastern Restaurant awards.

In addition to his culinary leadership roles, Chahine has demonstrated his supervisory skills across various positions, including Executive Sous Chef at Hilton Hotels Worldwide, Chef de Cuisine at Dusit Thani Lake View Hotel, and Chef de Cuisine at Grand Hyatt and Jumeirah Group. His tenure in these roles underscored his ability to lead large culinary teams, manage diverse kitchen operations, and uphold the highest standards of food quality and service excellence.

Fares Chahine's commitment to culinary innovation and operational excellence is complemented by his continuous professional development. He holds certifications in food safety management and restaurant revenue management from prestigious institutions such as the FDA and The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, underscoring his dedication to staying abreast of industry trends and best practices.

The Middle East Chef Excellence Awards 2024 celebrated Fares Chahine's individual achievements and acknowledged the collaborative efforts of industry partners. Hozpitality Group expressed gratitude to sponsors and collaborators, including JW Marriott Dubai Marina, ICCA, Restofair RAK, Rak Porcelain, and others, whose support was integral to the event's success.