Hailing from Egypt, Chef Tarek's journey has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. Despite facing early hardships with the loss of his father, he never let fate dictate his future. His determination led him to pursue studies at the Cairo Technical Institute of Hotels back in 1981, marking the first turning point in his career.

He climbed the industry ladder, starting as a busser and progressing to a kitchen staff role. Strengthening his foundational skills allowed him to secure a job in Switzerland.

He then jetted across the continents, working at various restaurants and hotels and expanding his culinary knowledge before arriving in the UAE in 1989. The 22-year tenure with the Hilton group saw him rise to the position of Executive Chef, where he learned to see beyond the kitchen and understand the business side of the culinary world.

In 2021, he began his role at the Main kitchen of the Dubai World Trade Center. Since then, he has taken on the responsibility of managing the internship program and inspiring young chefs to compete in competitions.

Chef Tarek believes in setting priorities right and emphasizes the importance of balancing work and personal life. His commitment to preserving the soul of cooking in an age of transformative technology, symbolized by robots and artificial intelligence, bends the boundaries of tradition and innovation. He envisions a culinary platform for young chefs where technology, tradition, taste and transformation intertwine.

Today, as the head of the main kitchen at the Dubai World Trade Center, Chef Tarek continues to inspire and motivate young chefs while advocating for a solid foundation in culinary arts.