New exec chef for Vida Downtown Dubai

James Knight-Pacheco has been appointed as the new executive chef at Vida Downtown Dubai.

He will be taking care of the all-round management and operations of the property’s dining venues including 3in1, a Mediterranean-inspired outlet; the Vida Food Truck, a 1960s Airstream that was a ground-up restoration project; and Stage2, the property’s international lounge located on the lobby level overlooking the pool.

Knight-Pacheco joined Emaar Hospitality Group in August 2015 as executive head chef for Dubai Marina Yacht Club, contributing to the property’s evolving culinary offering.

He started his career as a chef de partie an award-winning Mayfair venue in London.

Over the past decade, he has worked in hotels and restaurants in the UK and the Middle East. Previously he worked as executive chef at restaurant in Oman and prior to this he was executive chef at London-based restaurants, as well as demonstrator and chef tutor at Ashburton Cookery School in Devon, UK.

Knight-Pacheco has worked with a number of globally renowned chefs and appeared on BBC Lifestyle’s prime time shows in the UK, including ‘Out of the Frying Pan’ and ‘The Restaurant’,