Director of Kitchens – Pickalbatros Citadel Resort, Hurghada

Worldchefs Certified Continental Judge

Chef Essam Sayed Mohamed is an accomplished culinary and food & beverage leader with over 30 years of experience in luxury hospitality, culinary development, and operations. A WorldChefs Certified Executive Chef, he has held senior leadership positions with renowned international hotel brands, including St. Regis, Mövenpick, Le Méridien, Hilton, and InterContinental.

Chef Essam has proudly represented Egypt on the international culinary stage, including the World Heritage Cuisine Summit in India, and has participated as a presenter at the American Culinary Federation National Convention in the USA. His competition achievements include a Gold Medal at Expogast Luxembourg and a Silver Medal at the World Hospitality Championship in Dubai.

A former Captain of the Egyptian National Culinary Team and founder of the Egyptian Chefs Association Red Sea Chapter, Chef Essam is passionate about developing young chefs, promoting Egyptian cuisine, and advancing professional culinary standards.

Meet the Culinary Jury Members of the ECA Live Cooking Competitions at HACE 2026