Franz Conde is the new executive chef of Athenee Palace Hilton Bucharest’s outlets and catering services, according to a press release.

Franz Conde started his career in Venezuela, where he graduated from the country’s premium chef’s academy, CEGA – Centro de Estudios Gastronomicos. He then began his apprenticeship in Italy at Aimo e Nadia (2*Michelin), Antica Osteria del Ponte (3*Michelin), Enoteca Pinchiorri (2*Michelin), and San Domenico (2*Michelin).

He continued his professional career in Southern England, where he headed and cooked for Aragua Restaurant, then moved to London as Group Executive Chef for Gaucho. He started working in the hospitality industry as the Executive Sous Chef of Ciragan Palace Hotel Kempinski in Istanbul.

Franz Conde’s journey within Hilton Hotels & Resorts began in 2007 with Hilton Amsterdam, where he spent nine years as executive chef. During his time there, he relaunched Roberto’s Restaurant and wrote the recipes and designed the photographic look for “Pura Cucina Italiana,” Roberto’s Restaurant cookbook.

In 2011, he won the “Chef of Champions” competition as the best chef among European Hilton Hotels, and in 2012 Roberto’s restaurant was endowed by Italie Magazine the “Italian Restaurant of the Year”. In 2015, Franz Conde took third place at the Hilton F&B Master Competition, out of 255 Hilton Hotels in Europe, Middle East, and Africa.

Athenee Palace Hilton Bucharest has 272 guestrooms and suites, 13 fully renovated meeting rooms, a health club with pool, and fine dining in its two restaurants, terrace, and bar.

Bucharest’s Athenee Palace Hilton hotel to undergo EUR 20 mln revamping and expansion project

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com