Joe Barza (born 11 August 1963) is a Lebanese

chef A chef is a trained professional cook and tradesman who is proficient in all aspects of food preparation, often focusing on a particular cuisine. The word "chef" is derived from the term ''chef de cuisine'' (), the director or head of a kitche ...

television personality Celebrity is a condition of fame and broad public recognition of a person or group as a result of the attention given to them by mass media. An individual may attain a celebrity status from having great wealth, their participation in sports ...

, and culinary consultant. Barza is known for co-hosting the

Middle East The Middle East ( ar, الشرق الأوسط, ISO 233: ) is a geopolitical region commonly encompassing Arabian Peninsula, Arabia (including the Arabian Peninsula and Bahrain), Anatolia, Asia Minor (Asian part of Turkey except Hatay Pro ...

ern version of the TV program ''

Top Chef ''Top Chef'' is an American reality competition television series which premiered on Bravo on March 8, 2006. The show features chefs competing against each other in culinary challenges. The contestants are judged by a panel of professional chef ...

''.

Early life

Born in

Tyre, Lebanon Tyre (; ar, صور, translit=Ṣūr; phn, 𐤑𐤓, translit=Ṣūr, Greek language, Greek ''Tyros'', Τύρος) is a city in Lebanon, one of the List of oldest continuously inhabited cities, oldest continually inhabited cities in the world, t ...

, Barza was first influenced by traditional

Lebanese cuisine Lebanese cuisine is the culinary traditions and practices originating from Lebanon. It includes an abundance of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, fresh fish and seafood. Poultry is eaten more often than red meat, and when red meat is eaten, it ...

as a child in his mother's kitchen. Growing up in a war torn country, Barza had no choice but to integrate in one of the many popular

militia A militia () is generally an army or some other fighting organization of non-professional soldiers, citizens of a country, or subjects of a state, who may perform military service during a time of need, as opposed to a professional force of r ...

s of the time. Barza served as a personal

bodyguard A bodyguard (or close protection officer/operative) is a type of security guard, government law enforcement officer, or servicemember who protects a person or a group of people — usually witnesses, high-ranking public officials or officers, w ...

to a personality and major key player in the Lebanese war, before deciding in 1980 to abandon the life of war, and seek better more sustainable opportunities. After enlisting at the Hotel School of Arts in Lebanon,

Head chef

The Lebanese civil war officially ended in 1990, and three years later Barza decided to go back to his home country. In

Jounieh Jounieh ( ar, جونيه, or ''Juniya'', ) is a coastal city in Keserwan District, about north of Beirut, Lebanon. Since 2017, it has been the capital of Keserwan-Jbeil Governorate. Jounieh is known for its seaside resorts and bustling nightlife ...

, Lebanon, he was offered his first head chef position at "Century Park Hotel". Barza was responsible for preparing

banquet A banquet (; ) is a formal large meal where a number of people consume food together. Banquets are traditionally held to enhance the prestige of a host, or reinforce social bonds among joint contributors. Modern examples of these purposes i ...

s for up to 4,000 people, weekly outside caterings for up to 1,000 people, in charge of 20 permanent chefs, and assuming other hotel positions such as

hotel manager A hotel manager, hotelier, or lodging manager is a person who manages the operation of a hotel, motel, resort, or other lodging-related establishment. Management of a hotel operation includes, but is not limited to management of hotel staff, bu ...

on duty. Barza stayed with the establishment for eight years, before the hotel changed ownership. His second head chef position came directly afterward, when he was appointed head chef for "The Chase", chain of international restaurants, who had up to 9 outlets in Lebanon and around the world.

Consultant chef

In 2010, Barza started his own company, "Joe Barza Culinary Consultancy". The company was to be built around his personal experience and exposure to the different trends and techniques of the culinary world. The company's main scope of work is dealing with all aspects of

restaurant A restaurant is a business that prepares and serves food and drinks to customers. Meals are generally served and eaten on the premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and food delivery services. Restaurants vary greatly in appearan ...

and

catering Catering is the business of providing food service at a remote site or a site such as a hotel, hospital, pub, aircraft, cruise ship, park, festival, filming location or film studio. History of catering The earliest account of major services be ...

operations, including concept formulation, menu elaboration, kitchen design, kitchen personnel recruiting, pre-opening strategy formulation, opening strategy formulation, post-opening follow-up, cost control, and staff training. In addition to the corporate services, Barza is a consultant for Salon Culinaire of Lebanon "HORECA".

Awards and participation in international culinary event

Barza has won awards and recognition:

Television

Barza is co-hosting Season One of "Top Chef" with magazine and restaurant owner Siham Tueni.Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation, Episode Highlights
"Episode Highlights, Top Chef"
''Joe Barza Television'', 28 April 2011, accessed 16 May 2011.

References

External links

Personal Website of Joe BarzaAustrian Magazine On Beirut from Joe's PerspectiveFood Traveller on Joe BarzaTop Chefs reinventing Lebanese cuisine in BeirutAbu Dhabi Tourism Authority on Joe BarzaInterview on Australian Radio (In Arabic)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Barza, Joe Lebanese chefs People from Tyre, Lebanon 1963 births Living people