BIOGRAPHY

Consultant and defender of sustainable food practices, Youssef Akiki became passionate about cooking during his studies and, after graduating, he followed several specialised training courses and internships internationally with high-profile chefs, travelling between Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam.

Then there were the enviable apprenticeships with renowned chefs such as Alain Ducasse, Nicolas Le Bec and Joel Robuchon. Opportunities abound, Youssef was a regular face on the Morning Show, MTV Lebanon in 2009 and has enjoyed frequent trips as a guest chef to several international culinary events such as Tomorrowland in Belgium, Montreal en Lumiere in Canada and others throughout the Middle East.

As a supporter of local and sustainable food practices, Youssef’s efforts have supported many farmers and promoted local ingredients, including everyday ones, which he uses with great creativity.

“Over the years, I have come to understand that my role and responsibility goes beyond my career as a chef and that I have a unique opportunity to be an agent for change and make an impact within my community and in society. Through my work with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), I have used the knowledge and international experience gained to introduce technology that supports sustainable food production and supply chain practices in Lebanon.”