Liwaa Al Zini
Beirut,Lebanon
Summary
Professional, creative and dedicated Chef with 14+ years of experience in the Middle East cuisine. Capable of managing dining services while supervising and motivating staff in order to create a high-level ambience of satisfaction. Bringing extensive management experience in luxury hospitality, creative menu planning skills and 7 years of experience working with the top Celebrity Chef in the Middle East Joe Barza.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
2013
2013
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Chef de cuisine
Carava(Signature Restaurant)
Marriott International, Sindalah island Saudi Arabia
10.2024 - Current
- Leading the team during the Red Sea week operations.
- Accountable for overall pre-opening planning success of the kitchen operations (Creating menus, staff training, site visiting...)
- Managed teams by overseeing hiring, training and professional growth of employees.
Chef De Cuisine
Nur Lebanese(Main Restaurant)
Fairmont Amman, Jordan
05.2023 - 07.2024
- Responsible for the smooth, efficient running of the kitchen with the team of 13 staff in a high volume (280 seats) modern Eastern focused restaurant.
- Performing all administrative responsibilities including communication between departments, payroll, performance appraisal, staff scheduling, training, interview and hiring.
- Managing Ala Carte operation, catering special private functions size ranging from business lunches to large banquet events.
- Delivering high value service to the clients to ensure their maximum satisfaction is met (including VVIP guests, celebrities, top officials etc.)
- Collaborating with Executive Chef and Celebrity Chef Joe Barza on creation and development new dishes and recipes by keeping up the latest market trends.
- Dealing with suppliers, maintaining budget, cost control, manage monthly stock takes and to preserve the wastage spreadsheet.
- Assist the Executive Chef in compiling the annual marketing plans, budgets and supply ordering.
- Supervising stewarding to ensure all safety/ sanitation / hygiene and general cleanliness standards are followed.
Sous Chef
Yasmeen Arabic Restaurant(Pre-opening)
Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi, Maldives
05.2019 - 06.2022
- Representing Arabic cuisine and leading the kitchen team in the absence of the Head Chef for 3 years.
- Supervising all food preparation and ensuring that it all meets the highest quality standards and served on time.
- Creating and developing the menus, destination dining events, designing the plating presentation for each dish.
- Communicating with guests to ensure all their requests and high satisfaction are met (handling demanding high profile, VVIPs, celebrities, politicians, special groups, S&M, HH members etc.)
- Conducting high-pressure, busy operations during Festive seasons.
- Training new kitchen staff and assisting them with all required guidance, helping to develop the culinary skills of junior chefs.
- Dealing with suppliers, managing products ordering by keeping detailed records, handling paperwork.
- Coordinating with management team on supply ordering, budget, kitchen efficiency improvement and staffing.
- Monitoring and ensuring all safety/ sanitation / hygiene and general cleanliness standards are followed.
- Pre-opening at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi.
Sous Chef
Cafe Badaro
Beirut, Lebanon
06.2018 - 05.2019
- Cooking and directing the preparation of high-quality dishes.
- Leading the staff and doing necessary trainings.
- Works with head chef to maintain kitchen organization, staff ability, and training opportunities.
- Ordering stock and invoicing.
- Provided feedback on dishes' taste and visual appeal before service offering an optimal culinary experience.
- Worked under pressure during peak hours whilst maintaining composure and efficiency.
Chef De Partie
Leila Min Lebnen
Beirut, Lebanon
05.2017 - 04.2018
- Taking care of daily preparation and presentation of Hot and cold mezza.
- Handled and stored food with proper methods to eliminate illness risks and prevent cross-contamination.
- Built and maintained strong working relationship with staff across business.
- Followed recipe specifications strictly to produce high volume of food orders.
- Assisting the head chef in creating menu items and developing recipes.
Chef De Partie
Shababik
Jeddah , Saudi Arabia
08.2016 - 04.2017
- Preparing, cooking, and presenting high quality dishes related to hot and cold Meza.
- Managed portion control effectively, reducing waste significantly.
- Ensuring that all stocks are kept under optimum condition.
- Supervising junior chefs and commis.
- Followed recipe specifications strictly to produce high volume of food orders.
Chef De Partie
Boulevard Beirut
Beirut , Lebanon
04.2014 - 06.2016
- Daily tasks with Sous Chef.
- Coordinating Taking care of daily preparation and presentation of Hot and cold mezza.
- Collaborated with other chefs for special events and banquets.
- Followed health and safety guidelines to keep food storage safe, prevent spoilage and minimize cross-contamination risks.
- Followed recipe specifications strictly to produce high volume of food orders.
Chef Assistant
Mallak Catering Chouf
Beirut, Lebanon
01.2011 - 02.2014
- Handling huge events orders to be delivered properly and on time.
- Contributed in stock management for better inventory control.
- Rotated stock to keep ingredients fresh.
- Followed checklists to keep kitchen areas clean, stocked and sanitized.
Chef Assistant
Crystal Catering Chouf
Beirut, Lebanon
05.2009 - 01.2011
- Assisting the chef in preparing and arranging different kinds of food orders.
- Rotated stock to keep ingredients fresh.
Education
Baccalaureate Degree - Culinary Arts
Lycée Technique
Skills
- Creative menu development
- Innovative thinking
- Luxury hospitality knowledge
- Catering sector knowledge
- Leadership qualities
- Cuisine specialization
- Team training
- Negotiation skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Ability to thrive in high-pressure environments
- Multi-task management
- Quality standards dedication
- F&B cost control
- Food safety and hygiene knowledge
- Proficient PC user
Languages
Arabic
Native
English
Fluent
Personal Information
- Date of birth: 06/29/93
- Nationality: Lebanese
Custom
References upon request.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Chef de cuisine
Carava(Signature Restaurant)
10.2024 - Current
Chef De Cuisine
Nur Lebanese(Main Restaurant)
05.2023 - 07.2024
Sous Chef
Yasmeen Arabic Restaurant(Pre-opening)
05.2019 - 06.2022
Sous Chef
Cafe Badaro
06.2018 - 05.2019
Chef De Partie
Leila Min Lebnen
05.2017 - 04.2018
Chef De Partie
Shababik
08.2016 - 04.2017
Chef De Partie
Boulevard Beirut
04.2014 - 06.2016
Chef Assistant
Mallak Catering Chouf
01.2011 - 02.2014
Chef Assistant
Crystal Catering Chouf
05.2009 - 01.2011
Baccalaureate Degree - Culinary Arts
Lycée Technique
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