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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!
Francisco Araya's long and eventful career showcases his international hospitality expertise and vocational education, including a period spent as Director of the Culinary Arts program at IP Duoc UC Valparaiso and a Leadership Diploma from Universidad Adolfo Ibanez. Passionate about crafting gourmet culinary delights and training the next generation of Chefs, this Honduras-born award-winning Chef is currently serving as the Centre Director of ICCA Abu Dhabi.
Chef Anastasiia Arefeva is a pastry professional with a unique background that blends scientific precision with culinary creativity. Trained in general medicine before transitioning into pastry, she brings a structured, detail-oriented approach to dessert making. With experience as an Assistant Pastry Chef in Russia, she has specialized in mousse-based desserts and low-carb creations, while also training teams on quality standards and production techniques. After completing an intensive pastry program at ICCA, she continues to refine her craft across chocolate, baking, and modern desserts. Passionate about precision and innovation, she brings both discipline and creativity into the world of pastry.
Chef Farah Azzouz is a Chef Assistant at ICCA, bringing a unique blend of culinary training and business expertise. With a degree in Business Management and Marketing from the University of Surrey, she combines strategic thinking with a strong foundation in pastry, having completed an intensive diploma at ICCA. Her experience in operations, including supplier sourcing and catering, adds a practical industry perspective to her role. Passionate about food and learning, Farah supports hands-on training in the kitchen while contributing to a structured and engaging learning environment for aspiring chefs.
Lee Ann Marco is an Assistant Chef Instructor at ICCA, bringing a unique blend of culinary passion and project management experience. With a professional background in large-scale engineering projects across the UAE, she developed strong skills in coordination, problem-solving, and team leadership before transitioning into culinary education. At ICCA, she is dedicated to shaping aspiring chefs through hands-on learning, guiding students as they build confidence and skill in the kitchen. Lee Ann’s teaching is rooted in discipline, structure, and care, driven by her belief in being part of each student’s journey and creating a lasting impact through food.
Nino Valerio Salierno is a hospitality professional specializing in bar operations, coffee, and mixology, with international experience across Italy and Switzerland. With a strong foundation in customer service, team leadership, and high-volume operations, he has managed bar environments, trained staff, and delivered consistently high service standards. Certified in mixology and specialty coffee by SCA, Nino brings both technical skill and creativity to his craft. Passionate about sharing knowledge, he focuses on building practical skills, confidence, and a strong understanding of beverage culture among aspiring professionals.
Luisa Fernanda Perez Giron is a specialty coffee professional and trainer with over a decade of international experience across Colombia, Kuwait, and the UAE. With expertise spanning roasting, brewing, sensory analysis, and barista training, she has led coffee operations and developed training programs for both individuals and businesses. Currently managing roastery operations and academy training, Luisa combines technical depth with a passion for teaching. Certified by SCA across multiple disciplines, she brings a hands-on, experience-driven approach, inspiring aspiring baristas to build skill, confidence, and a deep understanding of specialty coffee.
Chef Ankit Rajak is a passionate pastry professional and instructor with strong experience across leading luxury hotels in the UAE and Qatar. Currently a Junior Pastry Instructor at ICCA Abu Dhabi, he brings hands-on industry expertise into the classroom, shaping the next generation of chefs. His journey includes roles at Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, Hilton Salwa, Fairmont Dubai, and The Ritz-Carlton, where he refined his skills in dessert creation, menu development, and large-scale production. Trained at Valrhona, Chef Ankit combines technical precision with creativity, inspiring students to build strong foundations in pastry and baking.
Chef Anastasiya Dudnik is a highly skilled baking and patisserie expert with over 15 years of international experience across leading five-star hotels and luxury hospitality brands. Known for her creative precision and deep understanding of pastry arts, she has led high-performing teams and crafted exceptional dessert concepts across diverse culinary environments. Her expertise spans artisanal baking, menu development, and large-scale banquet production. Passionate about mentoring, Chef Anastasia brings a practical, hands-on approach to training, inspiring aspiring chefs to master both technique and creativity in the world of baking and patisserie.
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Chef Adetoyosi Odufuye , a culinary expert with morethan six years of experience as a Chef Instructor in the UAE, possessesextensive knowledge in cookery, pastry, and sugar craft. Additionally, sheboasts considerable expertise in menu development. Driven by a passion for sharingher culinary experience, Chef Toyo has chosen the path of an instructor as herprimary career, dedicated to imparting knowledge and skills to others.
With over 13 years of experience in the gastronomic field, Chef Rene honed and perfected his pastry-making skills, working in different countries, including France. Besides being an accomplished pâtissier, he has around seven years of experience teaching and mentoring young aspiring chefs while also working as a consultant. He keeps his finger on the pulse of the industry by actively participating in different international congresses of cakeshops.
Chef Louna has two main passions: preparing gastronomic meals using the freshest, locally sourced ingredients available and teaching aspiring chefs. A seasoned culinary challenge participant, he was also among the Top chef Arab 2021 semifinalists. Chef Louna comes with solid industry experience, having worked in luxurious and renowned hotels and restaurants in Europe and North Africa. He is also proficient in food styling and has worked as a consultant for numerous Food TV shows.
With over 18 years of expertise in the hospitality industry, Chef Durgesh has ample experience in managing and anticipating customers' unanticipated needs and concerns. During his stint in the industry, he discovered an interest in gastronomy, prompting him to change his career path from food & beverage to culinary. Today, he is looking forward to teaching and inspiring young chefs while also sharing his enthusiasm and passion for the culinary arts with them.
Prisa Preman is an experienced academic counsellor with a strong background in student guidance, admissions support, and client engagement. With experience in the UAE across education and operations roles, she has worked closely with students to help them navigate academic pathways, from career planning to application processes. Known for her organized, detail-oriented approach and strong communication skills, Prisa excels in building trust and delivering personalized support. At ICCA, she plays a key role in guiding prospective students, ensuring a smooth admissions journey while helping them make informed decisions about their culinary careers.
Hanane Arioua is a dynamic educator and communication specialist with a strong background in coaching, sales, and language training. With experience at Wall Street English, she has led teams, coached students, and delivered engaging learning experiences with a focus on personal growth and performance. Holding a Master’s degree in Trilingual Translation, Hanane brings exceptional communication skills in Arabic, English, and French. Her approach combines empathy, structure, and motivation, helping learners build confidence and achieve their goals. At ICCA, she contributes to creating a supportive and engaging environment that enhances the student learning journey.
A certified cook, Aisha Mohammed comes with the unique advantage of advocating culinary education culled from her own experience as a student chef at the ICCA Dubai. Having worked in customer service and supervisory roles across sectors like banking, education, and fashion, among others. Aisha has a keen understanding of what her clients need. Fluent in Arabic, English, Urdu, and Hindi, she is also conscientious and motivated to build strong customer relationships.
Maika Jane Baron Juntereal is a detail-oriented HR professional with over eight years of experience across the UAE and the Philippines, specializing in human resource operations, employee engagement, and organizational support. With a background in hospitality and corporate environments, she has managed HR systems, onboarding processes, and employee records while ensuring accuracy and confidentiality. Known for her structured approach and strong coordination skills, Maika plays a key role in maintaining smooth internal operations. At ICCA, she supports the team by enhancing processes, enabling efficient workflows, and contributing to a positive and professional working environment.
Kristina Angeline Tingcoco is an experienced Learning and Development professional with a strong background in global training operations, systems management, and data-driven program delivery. With experience at Sophos and BDO Unibank, she has managed learning platforms, coordinated large-scale training initiatives, and developed structured programs across international regions. Known for her attention to detail and analytical approach, Kristina excels in creating efficient systems that enhance the learning experience. At ICCA, she supports training excellence through streamlined processes, impactful reporting, and a commitment to delivering high-quality educational support for both students and faculty.
With over six years of work experience in graphic designing, event photography, videography, and video editing, Carla is responsible for the day-to-day coverage of events and happenings at ICCA Abu Dubai. Of an artistic bent of mind, Carla is a big believer in the axiom, 'Everything in life happens for a reason.'
