Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Custom
Timeline
AccountManager

Praveen Thomas

DUbai,U.A.E

Summary

I am a passionate and innovative chef with over 18 years of experience in professional cooking and kitchen operations, currently working as the Executive Sous Chef at Le Meridien Dubai Complex.

I have a strong track record of successfully managing major events, such as the Dubai World Cup, Dubai Desert Classic, and Air Show, along with overseeing kitchen operations across multiple outlets within budget. My approach fosters effective client relationships and consistently exceeds management expectations.


Expert in handling large-scale operations, I am highly skilled in resource planning, operational monitoring, and driving continuous improvements through creative ideas and strategic execution.

My leadership style promotes enthusiasm and teamwork, allowing me to effectively supervise, train, and mentor staff across all levels. I have achieved consistently strong results, including positive employee engagement scores. With my dedication and proven accomplishments, I am confident in my ability to bring valuable expertise to any organization.

Overview

24
24
years of professional experience

Work history

Executive Sous Chef

Marriott
Dubai
01.2023 - Current
  • 18 Restaurants and Bars
  • 44,000 square feet of sophisticated event space,
  • 24 unique Event venues




Executive Head Chef

Fairmont Dubai
Dubai
07.2021 - 12.2021

Consultant Chef

Virtual /Cloud Brands
Dubai
11.2020 - 05.2021
  • Launched 4 Virtual brands
  • Expertise in Menu designing, Concept development, vendor management, staffing and complete outlet setup
  • Specialist in in cost management and profit generation
  • Pre-launch and on job training and mentoring of staff
  • Mainly focused on healthy, organic, locally sourced product to create best and trendy brands

Cluster Executive Sous Chef

JA The Resort
Dubai
08.2017 - 10.2020
  • Company Overview: JA Beach Hotel /JA Palm Tree Court/JA Lake View
  • Portfolio includes 14 restaurants including 2 Michelin star affiliations, 4 bars and lounges, an upscale café and an event arena with 5000 plus Pax capacity and additional hospitality division which takes care of all banqueting, conference, and outdoor events


Executive Sous Chef

Jebel Ali Golf Resort
Dubai
09.2014 - 07.2017
  • Company Overview: Hospitality, Events and Restaurants
  • Jebel Ali Resort maintains a reputation in the market as one of the best in the catering and events
  • The Resort can cater a variety of clients with its spectacular venue which includes small meeting rooms, a large-scale ballroom to leadership training sites, sports academy, a private beach, golf course or the private garden or even a private funky yacht, each offer its own individual charm and style to
  • Above all resort has a great reputation in organizing major outdoor event in different parts of UAE with a high volume of guest turn over
  • Major events include Dubai World Cup -4000 Pax, Gulf News Fun Drive -7000 Pax, MEBA -Middle East Business Aviation -20000 Pax, Dubai Air Show -Over 8000 Pax, ODDC/ODLM -Omega Dubai Desert Classic -15000 Pax, What's on Awards -1500 Pax, Holi Event - Over 10000 Pax, Arabian Adventure -Over 20000 Pax Offsite Desert Caterings in a year

Sr Sous Chef

Jebel Ali Golf Resort
Dubai
07.2012 - 09.2014

Banquet Chef De Cuisine

Le Meridien /Westin Dubai
Dubai
01.2010 - 06.2012
  • 15,600 square feet of function space for events of 14 to 5,000 guests
  • Conference Centre with nine state-of-the-art meeting and conference venues, including an 8,838-square foot ballroom for up to 1,200 guests
  • The outdoor beachside amphitheater accommodates up to 1,500 guests and lawns plus barbeque areas for up to 5,000 guests
  • Major events include Louis Vuitton trophy (served 17000 meals over a period of 20 days), South African national day (6000 Pax), Boat show (4000 guests yearly), Class 1 powerboat race (2000 Pax including gala dinner yearly), Super yacht 'The Dubai, 'Major business council events (50-500 Pax), Major award event -ARN/ BBC food awards/ITP

Sous-chef

Westin Mina Seyahi
Dubai
12.2007 - 01.2010
  • 'Bussola' Italian contemporary restaurant with 2 floors and an extensive pool, which includes 150 Pax 'fine dining Italian cuisine' and 200 Pax 'Trattoria style pizzeria',

Chef De Partie

Le Meridien
Dubai
12.2005 - 11.2007

Chef De Partie

Grand Hyatt Muscat
Muscat, Oman
09.2003 - 12.2005

'Tuscany' Italian Fine Dining Restaurant Worked Under Chef Theodor Falser - 1 Michelin

Culinary Associate

Marriott Resort Goa India
06.2002 - 08.2003

Trainee

Taj
Kochi , India
10.2000 - 03.2001

Education

Graduation - Hotel Management and Catering Technology

Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology
India
01.1999 - /2022

Skills

  • Strong technical acumen
  • Leadership qualities
  • Commercially driven
  • Mentoring
  • Team leadership
  • Productivity improvement
  • Client management
  • Audits
  • SOPs
  • Asset management
  • HACCP knowledge
  • Health and safety
  • Operations Management
  • Strategic menu planning
  • Process redesigning
  • Quality improvements
  • Communication skills
  • People Management
  • Motivational leadership
  • Cultural competency
  • Budgeting
  • Financial Planning
  • Forecasting

Custom

Upon request

Timeline

Executive Sous Chef

Marriott
01.2023 - Current

Executive Head Chef

Fairmont Dubai
07.2021 - 12.2021

Consultant Chef

Virtual /Cloud Brands
11.2020 - 05.2021

Cluster Executive Sous Chef

JA The Resort
08.2017 - 10.2020

Executive Sous Chef

Jebel Ali Golf Resort
09.2014 - 07.2017

Sr Sous Chef

Jebel Ali Golf Resort
07.2012 - 09.2014

Banquet Chef De Cuisine

Le Meridien /Westin Dubai
01.2010 - 06.2012

Sous-chef

Westin Mina Seyahi
12.2007 - 01.2010

Chef De Partie

Le Meridien
12.2005 - 11.2007

Chef De Partie

Grand Hyatt Muscat
09.2003 - 12.2005

Culinary Associate

Marriott Resort Goa India
06.2002 - 08.2003

Trainee

Taj
10.2000 - 03.2001

Graduation - Hotel Management and Catering Technology

Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology
01.1999 - /2022
Praveen Thomas