Joe Barza (born 11 August 1963) is a Lebanese

chef A chef is a professional Cook (profession), cook and tradesperson who is proficient in all aspects of outline of food preparation, food preparation, often focusing on a particular cuisine. The word "chef" is derived from the term (), the di ...

television personality Celebrity is a condition of fame and broad public recognition of a person or group due to the attention given to them by mass media. The word is also used to refer to famous individuals. A person may attain celebrity status by having great w ...

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

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ern version of the TV program ''

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

''.

Early life

Born in

Tyre, Lebanon Tyre (; ; ; ; ) is a city in Lebanon, and one of the List of oldest continuously inhabited cities, oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It was one of the earliest Phoenician metropolises and the legendary birthplace of Europa (cons ...

, 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 grain#Varieties, whole grains, Fruit#Food uses, fruits, Vegetable#Cultivation, vegetables, fresh Fish (food), fish and seafood. ...

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 a military or paramilitary force that comprises civilian members, as opposed to a professional standing army of regular, full-time military personnel. Militias may be raised in times of need to support regular troops or se ...

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 an very important person, important person or group of people, such as high-ranking public offic ...

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 (, 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, as well as it ...

, 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 inc ...

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, ...

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 an establishment 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 Delivery (commerce), food delivery services. Restaurants ...

and

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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