Ilias Doulamis

The five-star Conrad Dubai has a new executive chef. Ilias Doulamis steps in to replace Caterer Awards-winner Yannis Manikis.

While they are big shoes to fill, Doulamis is certainly up to the task. The Greece-born chef is described by Conrad Dubai as a master of 'contemporary European with a Mediterranean twist.' He will head up outlets including Kimpo, Cave, Ballaro, Bliss 6, Isla, banqueting operations and the executive lounge.

Harking back to his roots, he has played an integral role in the hotel's launch of its Greek dining outlet Anása.

Doulamis has been in kitchens for over a decade, with one of his earliest positions at none other than Restaurant le Meurice Alain Ducasse, a multi-Michelin-starred restaurant in Paris. Working there as a commis chef, he went on to work at L'Astrance Restaurant, also Michelin-starred, as a chef de partie.

Moving to London, he would work at Texture restaurant as sous chef before working with ultra-luxury hospitality group Aman as a head chef. Next was a role with Rosewood Al Faisaliah and Al Khozama Hotel Riyadh.

Before flying into Dubai, he worked with Hyatt Hotels for almost five years, joining as an executive sous chef for Grand Hyatt Doha, later moving to Grand Hyatt Muscat as executive chef.

Doulamis is taking over from Manikis, this year's Head Chef of the Year - Hotel Managed Outlet.

Trained up through some of the finest kitchens in the world, Manikis proudly describes himself as a 'non-corporate chef in a corporate world.' This characteristic shone in his nomination, with the Caterer judging panel impressed by his combination of revenue generation and charitable efforts.

Since joining the hotel in 2019, he improved guest satisfaction rates by seven percent. He also launched Kimpo, the hotel's best-performing outlet.