Latest news with #MostafaSeif
CairoScene
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Khufu's Mostafa Seif Wins Best Chef's 'Skillet of Distinction' Award
This marks the first time an Egyptian chef has won this award. May 22, 2025 Chef Mostafa Seif of Khufu's has been awarded the Skillet of Distinction by The Best Chef Awards, becoming the first Egyptian chef to receive the accolade. The award follows Seif's recognition last year as the first Egyptian to earn a one-knife 'Excellent' rating under the awards' updated tiered system. The Best Chef Awards, which moved away from its traditional top-100 ranking in 2023, now recognises chefs through one, two, or three 'knives,' denoting levels of excellence. Seif's one-knife placement in Dubai was the first for an Egyptian chef and signalled growing international attention to his work. At Khufu's - founded by Pier 88 Hospitality's Giovanni Bolandrini - Seif leads a kitchen grounded in technical discipline and regionally sourced ingredients. His cooking is rooted in Egyptian culinary traditions but avoids nostalgia or showmanship, favouring clarified broths, cured seafood, and slow-roasted meats that reflect a restrained, detail-oriented approach. In January, Seif participated in The World's 50 Best Signature Sessions in Abu Dhabi, where he co-hosted a dinner with Argentinian chef Sergio Cabrera at MouzMari. He also joined 50 Best Talks for a panel titled Memory on a Plate, exploring the role of food in cultural and personal memory. The Skillet of Distinction acknowledges Seif's consistency in the kitchen and his contribution to platforming Egyptian cuisine in international settings - through technique rather than adaptation.
NDTV
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
This Egyptian Restaurant Lets You Eat Right Next To The Pyramids Of Giza
If Egypt is on your travel list, chances are the Pyramids of Giza are already marked as a must-see. But what if you could add a proper meal to that plan - one that mixes reworked Egyptian flavours with a direct view of the pyramids themselves? That is exactly what makes Khufu's restaurant special. Tucked inside the Giza Pyramid Complex, it is a rare chance to dine this close to such a historic site. It just won the Resy "One To Watch Award" 2025, one of the honours given out by The World's 50 Best Restaurants. That means people are taking note of this one, and for good reason. What Makes Khufu's Restaurant Stand Out? View this post on Instagram A post shared by Khufu's Restaurant (@khufusrestaurant) There are only a handful of restaurants near the Pyramids of Giza that actually overlook the site. Khufu's is one of them, with a clear, picture-perfect view. Even though it only opened in 2022, it is already making a name for itself in Egypt's fine dining space. Earlier this year, it came in 4th on the list of 50 Best Restaurants in the Middle East and North Africa. It also topped the list as the best restaurant in Egypt for 2025. The name Khufu's pays tribute to Pharaoh Khufu, who is known for commissioning the Great Pyramid. (That very structure is where he was laid to rest.) Who Is The Chef At Khufu's Restaurant? Chef Mostafa Seif is the one running the kitchen at Khufu's restaurant. He won Top Chef Middle East in 2018 and is now known for giving Egyptian cuisine a fresh spin. He keeps traditional ingredients and cooking methods at the heart of his dishes. Khufu's is the brainchild of Giovanni Bolandrini, who is also behind the Pier88 Group - a hospitality brand that runs several high-end restaurants, including this one. What Type Of Food Is Served At Khufu's Restaurant? The tasting menus at Khufu's lean into Egyptian comfort food, but not the kind you have had before. Each dish is reworked to bring bold, new flavours to the table. It is a nod to Chef Seif's roots, but with a present-day feel. One of the standout dishes is the koshari, Egypt's national favourite, but here it is served with quail eggs and a few other surprises. Other items on the menu include Black baba ganoush, Egyptian fava puree, Charcoal Chicken and more. The idea is to give locals and tourists something fresh that still feels familiar. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Worlds 50 Best Restaurants (@theworlds50best) The "One To Watch" award goes to "a rising star restaurant in the global hospitality scene which 50 Best believes has the potential to break into the list in the years to come." The winner is picked through votes by the 50 Best Academy and based on editorial calls. Kato in Los Angeles picked up the "One To Watch" last year, so Khufu's is in good company.
CairoScene
29-01-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
The Egyptian Restaurants That Made it Onto MENA's Best 50 Restaurants
With Khufu's walking away with the title of Egypt's best restaurant, here is every other Egyptian restaurant honoured. On Wednesday, January 28th, in Abu Dhabi, Egypt's top restaurants were recognised on the MENA's 50 Best Restaurants list. Among the honourees were Zooba, Sachi (Cairo and Giza branches), Kazoku, with many more of Egypt's haute culinary names joining their ranks. The selection focused on key aspects like culinary creativity, originality, and overall dining experience. This year, Khufus, founded by Pier 88 Group's Giovani Bolandrini and spearheaded by Chef Mostafa Seif, earned the distinction of Egypt's Best Restaurant, and MENA's Fourth best. Khufu's Fourth Best Restaurant MENA Known for its blend of tradition and creativity, Khufu's has become a hotspot for locals and international visitors, pairing its refined dishes with an extensive cocktail menu and delivering a dining experience that matches its stunning surroundings. Zooba 21st Best Restaurant MENA Zooba continues to stand out on both a regional and international stage. Known for its inventive takes on traditional dishes, the restaurant keeps delivering creative Egyptian flavours. Kazoku 24th Best Restaurant MENA Established by Baky Hospitality - the same masterminds behind Sachi, Shinko, Lexie's, Megumi and Reif Kushiyaki, Kazoku is all about authentic Japanese cuisine. Sachi Heliopolis 27th Best Restaurant MENA Since opening in 2014 in Heliopolis, Sachi has been a cornerstone of Cairene fine-dining, being one of the very first independent fine dining restaurants in Cairo. Izakaya 34th Best Restaurant MENA A Japanese-Peruvian affair you just can't keep under wraps, Izakaya is where to go when you're craving truffle tataki, duck pancakes, and salmon rolls all at once. Sachi Giza 40th Best Restaurant MENA Having taken over Heliopolis in 2014, Sachi expanded its empire to Sheikh Zayed's Park St in the summer of 2021, where the hospitality brand would quickly blossom. Reif Kushiyaki Serving up all volumes of Asian cuisine, from noodles to nigiri, Reif Kushiyaki has been earning its spot on MENA's 50 Best Restaurants since its introduction in Cairo in 2021.
