Zineb Hattab, also known as Zizi Hattab, (born July 23, 1989) is a Moroccan-Spanish chef and the owner of plant-based restaurant KLE in Zurich,

Switzerland ). Swiss law does not designate a ''capital'' as such, but the federal parliament and government are installed in Bern, while other federal institutions, such as the federal courts, are in other cities (Bellinzona, Lausanne, Luzern, Neuchâtel ...

. Hattab was selected “discovery of the year” by

Gault Millau Gault et Millau is a French restaurant guide. It was founded by two restaurant critics, Henri Gault and Christian Millau in 1965. Points system Gault Millau rates on a scale of 1 to 20, with 20 being the highest. Restaurants given below 10 points ...

on her restaurant's opening year in 2020 and was the first vegan chef in Switzerland to be awarded with a green and a red

Michelin star The Michelin Guides ( ) are a series of guide books that have been published by the French tyre company Michelin since 1900. The Guide awards up to three Michelin stars for excellence to a select few establishments. The acquisition or loss of a ...

. Hattab's cooking is noted for its intense flavors and complex balanced dishes in a casual setup.

Early life

Hattab was born in Girona, Spain, to immigrant parents from Morocco. They had moved to Costa Brava during the 1980s. She grew up in Blanes, a small town by the Mediterranean Sea. In 2007, Hattab moved to Barcelona to study engineering. During her studies, she lived in a student dorm where she started cooking for her friends and family.

Career

After moving to Switzerland in 2012, Hattab worked for two years as a software developer in an engineering firm. In 2014 at the age of 24, she decided to leave her corporate life and began a new career as a cook. She worked at Osteria Francescana by Massimo Bottura, Nerua by Josean Alija and

El Celler de Can Roca El Celler de Can Roca is a restaurant in Girona, Catalonia, Spain opened in 1986 by the Roca brothers, Joan, Josep and Jordi. It was first located next to their parents' restaurant Can Roca, but moved to its current purpose-built building in 200 ...

by the Roca brothers. She also worked for Andreas Caminada at Schloss Schauenstein. In 2017, Hattab moved to New York, where she spent some time at Blue Hill and as an executive sous chef at Cosme for Enrique Olvera. After 2 years working in New York she moved back Switzerland to open her own restaurant. In January 2020, Hattab opened KLE, a small restaurant in Zurich Wiedikon with fine cuisine and a completely vegan menu. Only a few weeks after opening, Gault&Millau awarded it with 14 points and named Hattab as “Chef of the Month”. During 2021 KLE was awarded with 15

points and became the first Swiss vegan restaurant awarded with a green and red Michelin star. In October 2022 KLE received a Michelin Star. In October 2021, Hattab opened her second location DAR with a restaurant and a cocktail bar, followed by a third, Cor, a wine and pinchos bar which opened in April 2023.

Acknowledgments

* 2020:

, Discovery of the year * 2020:

, 14 points * 2020:

American Express American Express Company (Amex) is an American multinational corporation specialized in payment card services headquartered at 200 Vesey Street in the Battery Park City neighborhood of Lower Manhattan in New York City. The company was found ...

, Talents 2020 * 2021:

, 15 points * 2021: Michelin Guide, Green Star * 2022: Michelin Guide, Michelin Star

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hattab, Zineb 1989 births Living people People from Selva Spanish women chefs Spanish expatriates in Switzerland Spanish people of Moroccan descent