Andre Ghanimeh Crowned Executive Chef of the Year in Institutional Catering at Middle East Chef Excellence Awards 2025
Andre sets new benchmark in institutional catering with landmark achievement.
Andre Ghanimeh has been awarded the prestigious Gold recognition for Executive Chef of the Year in Institutional Catering at the Middle East Chef Excellence Awards 2025. As Group Executive Chef at Sodexo Kelvin Catering Services & Facilities, Ghanimeh brings an exceptional 25 years of GCC culinary leadership to his role, including 20 years focused on the UAE market. This top honor celebrates his expertise in offshore and onshore catering solutions, banquet operations, cloud kitchen management, and innovative retail grab-and-go concepts that are transforming institutional food service.
Currently leading culinary operations at Sodexo since September 2024, Ghanimeh oversees all aspects of production while driving research and development initiatives. His responsibilities span strategic planning, budget management, quality control implementation, and cross-departmental coordination between operations, sales, engineering, and human resources. Under his leadership, the organization has achieved new standards in operational efficiency while maintaining rigorous health and safety protocols across all catering facilities.
Ghanimeh's distinguished career includes key leadership roles that have shaped Dubai's catering landscape. As Group Executive Chef at Bouffage Catering Services from 2023-2024, he implemented innovative menu development strategies for retail and supermarket operations. His tenure as Group Head of Culinary for Ghassan Aboud Group saw him spearhead multiple successful venue openings while optimizing food costs through demographic-driven menu engineering. Earlier positions include Production Manager at Intercat Hospitality and Operations Manager roles where he managed catering for major UAE attractions including Caesars Bluewaters Dubai, Ferrari World, and Atlantis The Palm.
Educated at Ecole Hoteliere & CLET University Lebanon with a focus on hotel management and food safety, Ghanimeh combines academic rigor with extensive practical experience. His career began in Lebanon's luxury hotel sector, including positions at Mzaar Intercontinental Resort and Habtoor Grand Resort, before bringing his expertise to the GCC market. This foundation in premium hospitality informs his current approach to institutional catering, where he maintains fine dining standards at scale.
The Middle East Chef Excellence Awards recognition highlights Ghanimeh's unique ability to bridge culinary artistry with industrial food production requirements. As a certified ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health & Safety Management System Auditor, he has implemented comprehensive safety protocols across all operations. His additional role as Culinary Advisor for Authentic World Taste demonstrates his commitment to advancing industry standards beyond his immediate operational responsibilities.
This Gold Award not only celebrates Ghanimeh’s achievements but also underscores Sodexo Kelvin Catering Services & Facilities' leadership in institutional food service innovation. With his continued focus on operational excellence, culinary innovation, and team development, Andre Ghanimeh remains at the forefront of the region's catering industry evolution.
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