Joe Barza (born 11 August 1963) is a Lebanese chef, television personality, and culinary consultant. Barza is known for co-hosting the Middle Eastern version of the TV program Top Chef.
Early life Born in Tyre, Lebanon, Barza was first influenced by traditional Lebanese cuisine 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 militias of the time. Barza served as a personal bodyguard 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,Abu Dhabi, Tourism Authority. "Master Chef, Profiles" , Gourmet Abu Dhabi, 18 February 2010, accessed 16 May 2011.
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, Lebanon, he was offered his first head chef position at "Century Park Hotel".Sydney International, Food Festival. "Chef, Profiles" , Crave Sydney Food Festival, 10 October 2010, accessed 16 May 2011. Barza was responsible for preparing banquets 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 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",Slow Food, International. "Official Agreement Between Earth Markets in Tuscany and Lebanon to be Signed in Beirut, News", Slow Food News, 22 April 2009, accessed 16 May 2011. chain of international restaurants, who had up to 9 outlets in Lebanon and around the world.The Chase, Restaurants. "The Chase Restaurants, Official Website", The Chase Profile, 1 January 2005, accessed 16 May 2011.
Consultant chef In 2010, Barza started his own company, "Joe Barza Culinary Consultancy".Joe Barza, Culinary Consultancy. "Official Website of Joe Barza Culinary Consultancy, Profile", Joe Barza Culinary Consultancy, 26 April 2011, accessed 16 May 2011. 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 and catering 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".Horeca, Lebanese Salon Culinaire. "Events Special 2011, News", Horeca Salon Culinaire, 1 April 2011, accessed 16 May 2011.
Awards and participation in international culinary event Barza has won awards and recognition:
2010 Guest Appearance as Master Chef in "Gourmet Abu Dhabi 2010".Abou Dhabi, Tourism Authority. "Master Chef, Profiles" , Gourmet Abu Dhabi, 18 February 2010, accessed 16 May 2011.
Demonstrate Lebanese Cuisine in the "Lo Mejor de La Gastronomia" International Food Festival in Alicante, SpainLo Mejor de La Gastronomia, Alicante. "Participating Chefs, News", Lo Mejor de La Gastronomia, 22 September 2010, accessed 16 May 2011. Demonstrate Lebanese Cuisine in the "Sydney International Food Festival"Sydney Morning Herald, Sydney Food Festival. "Event Highlights, News", Sydney International Food Festival, 28 June 2010, accessed 16 May 2011. 2009 Head Chef Les 6eme Jeux de la Francophonie (catering up to 25,000 meals Per Day)L'Orient Le Jour, VIes Jeux de la francophonie. "Event Highlights, News", Lebanon Francophonie Games, 10 September 2010, accessed 16 May 2011. 2008 Head of the Lebanese delegation to the "Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie"Nice Matin, Joe Barza Aux Festival International De La Gastronomie. "Event Highlights, News", Joe Barza Profile, 10 August 2008, accessed 16 May 2011. Head of the Lebanese delegation to the "Bakery World Cup" Demonstrate Lebanese cuisine at the "Culinary Institute of America"Culinary Institute of America, 11th Annual World of Flavor. "Chef Biographies, Event Highlights", Joe Barza Profile, 8 November 2008, accessed 16 May 2011. Demonstrate Lebanese cuisine at Les Etoiles de MouginsNice Panorama, Joe Barza A Mougins. "Personal Highlight, News" , Joe Barza Mougins, 10 August 2008, accessed 16 May 2011.
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 Barza Austrian Magazine On Beirut from Joe's Perspective Food Traveller on Joe Barza Top Chefs reinventing Lebanese cuisine in Beirut Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority on Joe Barza Interview on Australian Radio (In Arabic) Barza Bing !