Luca Barba Recognized in Hozpitality's Best 30 F&B Leaders in the Middle East for 2024
Combining a collaborative approach with his multicultural skills, Luca leads cross-functional teams to provide flawless guest experiences.
Luca Barba, Director of Food and Beverage at the prestigious Waldorf Astoria Kuwait, has been honoured as one of Hozpitality's Best 30 F&B Leaders in the Middle East for 2024. Luca’s remarkable journey has taken him through some of the finest luxury establishments across the Middle East and Europe, where he has been instrumental in driving excellence across multi-outlet operations.
Currently overseeing seven distinguished venues at Waldorf Astoria Kuwait, Luca is at the helm of iconic outlets such as ROKA (Contemporary Japanese), AVA (Mediterranean), OXIO (Pool Restaurant), KUBBAR (Levantine), Peacock Alley (Lobby Lounge), as well as leading the Conference & Event Services and Room Service/Mini Bar operations. His leadership has enhanced guest experiences, ensured high service standards, and drove profitability across these diverse outlets.
Luca's experience goes beyond management; he has been deeply involved in fine dining, with Michelin-star experience at La Pergola and Café Les Paillotes, and is a recognized expert in wine curation, having authored Hilton's Wine List for the MEA region's hotels. Holding a professional sommelier diploma from the Italian Sommelier Association and WSET certifications, his refined palate and in-depth knowledge make him a true connoisseur in the industry.
What sets Luca apart is his commitment to team development and operational excellence. He manages a team of 134 F&B professionals, ensuring they uphold Waldorf Astoria's Forbes 5-star standards. Known for his hands-on approach and problem-solving skills, he plays a key role in recruitment, training, and improving service quality. His strong business acumen is evident in his meticulous handling of budgets, P&L, and forecasting, ensuring profitability while maintaining high service standards.
Fluent in both Italian and English, Luca combines his multicultural expertise with a collaborative mindset, leading cross-functional teams to deliver seamless guest experiences. His ability to balance operational efficiency with luxury standards has earned him this well-deserved recognition as one of Hozpitality's Best 30 F&B Leaders in the Middle East for 2024.
Meela Seenarain
Dubai, United Arab Emirates UAE