St Regis Abu Dhabi Nation Towers hires exec chef

The St. Regis Abu Dhabi has appointed Thomas Pendarovski as the property's new executive chef.

With nearly 20 years' experience, Pendarovski will oversee all culinary activities and operations, managing a team of more than 80 chefs.

“Food lovers visiting and living in the UAE capital are spoilt for choice, with an influx of unique dining experiences appearing across the city, from the West Corniche over to Al Reem, Al Maryah and Saadiyat Islands,” said Pendarovski.

“Abu Dhabi has truly thrived as a gastronomic destination over the last few years."

At the age of eight, Pendarovski started learning fundamental cooking techniques from his father, who was also a restaurant chef. By the age of 14, he was attending culinary college in Toronto.

He started his culinary career in Canada then moving to Italy, Saint Kitt’s in the Caribbean, Miami and London. In London, he showcased his skills at the G7 Summit while in Derbyshire, and in Miami cooked at the 2006-2007 Superbowl for dignitaries.

A Canadian with Macedonian roots, Pendarovski has also worked as chef de partie for chef Charlie Trotter. His parents, he said, are his culinary heroes, who also taught him that "no more than five ingredients be used when creating a masterpiece dish".

No stranger to the UAE, Pendarovski has previously spent three years as an executive chef in Dubai's Sofitel Dubai Jumeirah Beach Hotel.