Yahya Khadaro, ARZ Executive Chef, InterContinental Budapest

  • 30 Mar 2023 4:54 AM
Yahya Khadaro, ARZ Executive Chef, InterContinental Budapest
Yahya is an exec chef with 15 years plus experience, he graduated in Lebanon in 2008, then moved to Dubai in 2010.

He started there at the Hilton Hotel, after that he worked at two different places in Dubai where he says he had great experiences,  and later he did managed openings at several places.

In 2020 he moved to Europe and started working at the Intercontinental Budapest Hungary, where he is currently working as the executive chef at the Lebanese restaurant there called ARZ. 

He says he would describe himself as a passionate, confident, and creative chef who can skillfully plan menus, prepare outstanding food, manage budgets, and lead a team of people to deliver a high quality of service to customers.
 

1. Where did you grow up?

Lebanon, Tripoli.

2. Who was the best cook in your family?

Mom was the best, she was preparing the dishes along the day with much love.

3. What is your fondest food memory?

My favorite childhood food memory was when my mom wanted to make stuffed kibbeh and eating a sandwich from this meat stuffing with spread oh humus. 

5. What is your favorite food to eat?

French food, many kinds of cheese, a steak with poivre sauce is my best.

6. How often do you 'play with food' to create new dishes?

It’s very often, the only reason made me creative chef .

7. Which chef do you admire most and why?

I admire most are the humble folks cooking street food, where you can really taste the true flavours of the country.

8. When did you start cooking, and why?

2008, I was 17 years old, I started at hotelier school.

9. What was your funniest kitchen incident?

One time I was doing a dinner party at one of the restaurants for Food magazine. I had a huge pot of frying oil on the stove. Accidentally, I backed into it and the handle hooked onto my apron. As I turned around, the whole pot spilled down my leg. I quickly pulled my pants off right there on the line to stop the burning. That was painful and awkward.

10. What was the luckiest moment in your life so far?

As far as my family and my health are good so every moment I am the lucky.

11. How do you like to relax?

Far away from the city, stay in a house on the mountain or any village with green view, some animals around, with organic food and calm place.

12. What is your most treasured possession?

My daughter “ANDY”.

13. What single thing would improve your quality of life?

Life is school, so every single day is to learn something new to improve.

14. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?

To be honest NOTHING, as I feel that I born to be a chef.

15. What job would you definitely never want?

As we are human being, and everything might happen to us, I will accept any honest job.

16. What achievement in your life are you most pleased with?

I was have awarded twice in Dubai in chef culinary, and I had TV show as well which is let me feel success.

17. What behaviors do you most like in others?

Loyalty is the most, as the brave person can provide it.

18. What would you say is your personal motto?

Always remember to fall asleep with a dream and wake up with a purpose. Another good old one is: When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

19. What is your professional goal for the next 5 years?

As I crossed many years in many countries, always say SKY IS MY LIMIT, but what I can say about my goal is to let more people around the world listen about my name.

20. Is there anything else you would like to mention?

THANK YOU!

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