Sunjeh Raja is the Founder, Director & CEO of the ICCA Dubai, of the international award-winning world-class culinary training center established in the year 2005. Since then he has been spearheading the engagement of the company’s Vocational Education Training (VET) programs and takes on a holistic approach to establish ICCA Dubai as a Center of Excellence, offering world-class culinary education. He adopts a very practical and innovative approach with an eye for detail, to continually develop the concept of industry-focused training and outcome-driven learning.
He is a recipient of several international awards & recognitions and has been consistently raising the standards of culinary training and food service across the region. Recognizing and taking opportunities as they arise, the centre has been able to leverage on many strategic partnerships with world majors – a direct result of Raja’s vision and leadership.
Inspired by her inherent passion to teach and excited by the opportunity to set up a Technical Vocational Training (TVET) Center in Dubai, Shanaaz has been one of the strongest pillars of the founding team, working tirelessly to put together outcome-focused course plans, programs, and quality assurance processes that make learning at ICCA meaningful and fruitful.
Being exposed from a very young age, having grown up with a mother who founded four schools which flourish to this day, she understood the importance of having good infrastructure and talented instructors to provide quality education. Little did she know that her love for food, passion to teach and a Masters Degree in Food Science would come together to lead her on this beautiful journey. Her advice to young people is to keep learning, keep persevering, and give your best to whatever you do, and your vocation will find you!
Sergio Freitas is known for his love for fusion to create new tastes, flavours and textures, that are not widely expected to be seen or experienced in a surprisingly complementing way. In his over 16 years of honing his knowledge and skills in culinary, he has risen from being a premier emerging chef to becoming a new-age culinary entrepreneur and a seasoned Chef Instructor of repute.
With over eight years of extensive experience in South American Cuisine and Fusion Cuisine, Chef Samuel Momoh has a track record of setting trends beyond the horizon and providing a world-class dining experience.
He is proficient in various cooking techniques and cuisines, with an innate talent for working with ingredients from countries around the world.
Michelle is a dynamic and energetic Chef with around 20 years of experience in Culinary, working in hotels and stand-alone restaurants, including the world-renowned 3 Michelin Starred Chef Marco Pierre White’s restaurant and within the aviation sector. She is an expert in her craft and fundamentally thorough and innovatively sound with several cuisines.
Passionate about baking, Chef Hartono has always been focused on learning and excelling in his craft of creating high-end pastry products. With over 16 years of culinary experience and working under some of the biggest names in the industry, namely Pierre Gagnaire, he aims to share his knowledge with those keen to enter this field.
Driven by a strong passion for teaching and working towards contributing to the gastronomic heritage study of Chile, Chef Leonardo Luza Villo has always been focused on excelling in his craft. Armed with Gastronomy Associated Degree from INACAP, Food Innovation Diploma from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, and training from Lenôtre Pastry School in Paris, Leonardo Luza Lillo comes with a decade of experience training Pastry Chefs and aims to share his knowledge with those keen to enter this industry.
Driven by a strong passion for cooking, Omkar Padwal has always believed that food can change the world due to its universality and ability to break barriers.
With over a decade of experience working professionally in 5 countries and armed with a Diploma in Patisserie from Le Cordon Bleu, he aims to share his learnings with those passionate about entering the field.
Chef Shamal was introduced to the world of Baking and Patisserie at a young age. Naturally, he pursued a degree in Hospitality Management and earned his Le Cordon Bleu Diploma. His journey as a chef has provided him with a diverse culinary perspective. Chef Shamal shares a wealth of experience, inspiring students to explore culinary traditions while embracing modern innovations. Beyond the kitchen, he finds solace in transforming sugar showpieces into intricate art and delving into the world of books.
An innovative patissier, with formal training in all disciplines, Cookery, Baking & Patisserie, Gelato and Sugar Crafting, Sabeen Fareed, specializes in lavish buffets, exotic high tea, fine pastry, custom menu development and food presentations. She owns a charismatic style with finesse in both Cookery & Patisserie and independently managing Projects & Events.
Suunil G Murudkar is a culinary professional and an enthusiast who has enhanced his culinary knowledge & skills as a food blogger, photographer, and entrepreneur. He brings with him in his experience of more than a decade of running a cloud kitchen and has since redefined his love for food by taking up a role in culinary training and support.
Asbah’s culinary journey began at ICCA, where she earned her Diploma in Food Preparation and Culinary Arts-Patisserie. Her intense training made her fall in love with baking and patisserie, especially cake decorating. As an Assistant Chef Instructor, she works closely with students and chefs, maintaining an open mind about learning. Her life mantra is to learn from her mistakes and improve every day.
Kumi’s global culinary adventure, rooted in Japanese traditions, has fuelled her passion for diverse flavours and food science. With over seven years of experience in teaching Japanese cuisine, she inspires students to enjoy the culinary process. Committed to continuous learning, Kumi loves to explore vegan cuisine and food science in her free time. Beyond the kitchen, she balances life with embroidery, knitting, yoga, and meditation.
Nasarene Jeddy Dhanki is an internationally renowned Master Sugar Crafter and has been teaching the British Sugarcraft Guild approved cake decoration techniques and skills for over 25 years. Each year she returns to the UK to stay up to date with the latest developments in the field and to renew her Sugarcrafters guild license. She is recognised as an expert at delivering training at the Personal. Professional and Entrepreneurial levels, creating exquisite Cakes and masterpieces of edible art for every occasion.
He is a well-renowned name in coffee in the Middle East and famous as the first Global Champion for Costa Coffee. In his career spanning over twenty long years in coffee, he has successfully trained and mentored two global and eight regional champions and professionally educated over 3000 baristas in the UAE and the region.
Benjamin brings years of experience in sales operations combined with his certified knowledge & skills in culinary arts. He manages the online resources platform along with monitoring student assessments.
Zainab is all about helping individuals bring their passion for culinary arts to life. She is a Baking & Patisserie enthusiast, a zealous home baker with a dash of quirk, and she says, "Everything I dough, I dough to make you smile."
Mary Jane, fondly known as MJ, is a people’s person with nineteen years of experience in sales, customer service and client relations. She is also a passionate online gamer and, as a Gamemaster, has gained more than 1M followers during her active years within the gaming community.
Born and raised in Jordan, Saed Nabeel brings nearly 15 years of experience in Computer Engineering and Education Consultancy, with 13 years dedicated to guiding students through their educational paths. His motivation comes from a deep belief in the transformative power of support and mentorship, helping students recognise their potential and envision their future. A curious explorer, Saed’s guiding principle is to embrace the journey, valuing the experiences along the way rather than just the destination.
With a degree in psychology and certification as a counsellor, Mayodhya Silva has over six years of experience working with students. Her passion for guiding them through their ICCA journey is evident in the strong relationships she builds with each cohort. Currently pursuing a master's in clinical psychology as a step toward her PhD, Mayodhya is dedicated to enhancing the learning environment at ICCA, ensuring students thrive in a supportive and safe space. An avid reader, she values persistence and versatility, encouraging students to embrace opportunities and challenges for personal growth.
Ariba Shahzad holds an MBA in Marketing and Digital Marketing and has been working with students since 2017. With a passion for marketing and sales, she also has experience teaching these subjects at a university in Pakistan. Outside of her professional life, Ariba enjoys exploring Dubai's sights and relaxing at the beach. A strong believer in manifestation, she often says, “When you put your mind to it, the universe will provide.”
Sunil Nair is a seasoned online strategist and analyst with extensive experience working with agencies and corporates of all sizes, from start-ups to corporate giants, for over 17 years. Sunil is responsible for delivering seamless digital experiences and establishing the brand online.
With over 16 years of experience in content and communication, Ekta Alreja comes from a strong media background. As a writer and editor, she excels at showcasing the best of ICCA with a keen eye for detail. A social media enthusiast, Ekta is passionate about storytelling and content creation, staying ahead of trends in the digital media age. Her life mantra is to persist until she achieves her goals. Outside work, she follows Buddhism, reads extensively, and enjoys yoga.
Anu’s proactive and goal-oriented attitude to providing quality work outcomes makes her the go-to person for any insights on the learning and development of students here. An MBA professional armed with a post-graduate diploma in Digital Marketing and Data Analysis, she brings with her solid experience in client management, training & mentoring students, service operations, process improvement, and consumer research and data analysis.
Joyce is the happy face that greets you at the ICCA Dubai front office. With over half a decade of experience in customer services, she brings an exceptional flair in providing support to customers at the ICCA.
Confident and dedicated to providing the very highest standards of service, Sheena has an excellent understanding of what her clients need through her past work, mentoring, and personal experience. Fluent in English and Chichewa (the official language of Malawi), she is energetic and motivated with a genuine desire to help others.
Noora is at the heart of data management and visualization at ICCA. Inspired by ICCA's values, she is focused and hardworking, always striving to improve systems and streamline processes. She has a calm demeanor but possesses a sharp, analytical mind and a goal-oriented approach. Beyond her professional skills, Noora brings a bright and genuine presence to the team, fuelled by her love for art, painting, and photography. Her dedication and innovative mindset continually enhance our student systems management and compliance.
Hailing from Manchester, UK, Sanjida Kalam brings a wealth of creative skills to her role as a Social Media Executive. With a background in content writing, film, and an MA in Screenwriting, she plays a key role in ICCA's media team. Driven by innate curiosity, Sanjida expresses herself through writing, arts and crafts, and cat rescue. She believes in living unapologetically, preferring to ask for forgiveness rather than permission.
John is the Multimedia & Creatives Specialist and is responsible for the day to day coverage of events and happenings at ICCA Dubai. Aside from being proficient in Photography, Videography and Social Media, John is also a DJ for nearly a decade with having cut many albums around the world.
Ashutosh is the Visual Specialist and is responsible for the coverage of dishes and events at ICCA Dubai. An experienced and passionate Cinematographer, he has also worked as a Director of Photography (DoP) on several television commercials for top brands and also handled food photography for reputed restaurants.
Born and raised in the UAE, Daljit Singh, fondly known as DJ, is a passionate videographer and cinematographer with over 10 years of experience, especially in food-based TV shows. He excels in capturing the ICCA student journey with a keen eye for detail and timing. His hardworking nature, positive attitude, and belief in "always being happy and loving what you do" make him an essential part of our team. Daljit ensures that his visual content effectively highlights and showcases our students' experiences.
