A Global Culinary Luminary

In the ever-evolving world of gastronomy and hospitality, very few names carry the kind of prestige and resonance that Chef Vanessa Bayma commands. More than an award-winning chef, she is a luxury hospitality consultant, cultural innovator, and strategic entrepreneur whose work has left an indelible mark across the Middle East and international culinary scene.

Her story is not only about crafting exquisite dishes but about redefining the meaning of hospitality itself—an approach where food, business, culture, and experience merge into unforgettable journeys. With a career spanning over two decades, her contributions range from private dining for royalty and celebrities to curating Michelin-level event experiences, leading large-scale film and music festivals, and building a pioneering consultancy firm that provides end-to-end solutions for luxury hospitality brands.

This biography takes an in-depth look at her remarkable journey—beginning with her heritage and early influences, tracing her professional milestones, highlighting her signature projects, and exploring her vision for the future of luxury culinary experiences.

In the ever-evolving world of gastronomy and hospitality, very few names carry the kind of prestige and resonance that Chef Vanessa Bayma commands. More than an award-winning chef, she is a luxury hospitality consultant, cultural innovator, and strategic entrepreneur whose work has left an indelible mark across the Middle East and international culinary scene.

Her story is not only about crafting exquisite dishes but about redefining the meaning of hospitality itself—an approach where food, business, culture, and experience merge into unforgettable journeys. With a career spanning over two decades, her contributions range from private dining for royalty and celebrities to curating Michelin-level event experiences, leading large-scale film and music festivals, and building a pioneering consultancy firm that provides end-to-end solutions for luxury hospitality brands.

This biography takes an in-depth look at her remarkable journey—beginning with her heritage and early influences, tracing her professional milestones, highlighting her signature projects, and exploring her vision for the future of luxury culinary experiences.

Early Inspirations – A Heritage of Sicilian and Brazilian Traditions

Chef Vanessa Bayma’s love for food was not born in a professional kitchen but in the warm, bustling kitchens of her grandmothers—one Sicilian, the other Brazilian. From an early age, she was immersed in two distinct culinary worlds.

Her Sicilian grandmother taught her the essence of Mediterranean simplicity, where ingredients are celebrated in their purest forms—olive oil, fresh herbs, seafood, pasta, and seasonal produce. She learned that discipline and technique were the foundations of great cooking, and that even the most humble dish could become extraordinary with care and patience.

Her Brazilian grandmother, on the other hand, exposed her to a world of bold flavors, tropical fruits, spices, and joyous communal meals. From her, Vanessa inherited a love of vibrancy, creativity, and the understanding that food is as much about people as it is about taste.

By the time she turned 13, she was already experimenting with flavors, recipes, and presentations—testing the boundaries of tradition and innovation. It was here that her journey as a chef, storyteller, and creator of experiences began.

The Path to Professional Excellence

Unlike many chefs who commit themselves exclusively to restaurants, Chef Bayma sought diversity from the very beginning. She embraced the world of luxury hospitality, immersing herself in environments that demanded more than cooking—resorts, hotels, embassies, yachts, and private residences where discretion, precision, and world-class service were paramount.

Her roles as Executive Chef, Catering Chef, and Culinary Consultant gave her a multidimensional understanding of hospitality. She mastered not only cooking but also:

• Operational management – directing large F&B teams in high-pressure events.
• Menu design and recipe development – balancing cultural authenticity with innovation.
• Luxury service standards – adapting to elite clientele with diverse preferences.
• Event execution – orchestrating experiences for thousands without compromising on quality.

Through this experience, she developed the rare ability to navigate seamlessly between intimate private dinners and massive international festivals, always maintaining the same level of artistry and excellence.

Founding CBC Consultancy and Events – A Strategic Evolution

The establishment of CBC Consultancy and Events was not just a career milestone but a visionary move. After years of mastering the operational and creative sides of hospitality, Chef Bayma realized that the industry needed something more: a comprehensive consultancy that combined creativity, technical skill, and business acumen.

In partnership with TPHQ Events Management, she launched CBC, a firm headquartered in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, serving clients across the Middle East and internationally.

CBC Consultancy and Events provides:

• Conceptualization and Branding – helping restaurants, hotels, and corporations create culinary identities.
• Menu Creation and Product Development – from high-end restaurant menus to packaged goods.
• Event Catering and Management – orchestrating film festivals, brand activations, and royal celebrations.
• Private Chef Services – designing exclusive dining experiences for celebrities and HNWIs.
• Hospitality Training and Auditing – raising service standards across luxury properties.

Through CBC, Chef Bayma positioned herself as a culinary entrepreneur who bridges creativity with commercial viability, ensuring that food is not only delicious but also strategically aligned with business goals.

Signature Projects – Culinary Milestones on a Global Stage

Red Sea International Film Festival – Where Cinema Meets Cuisine

In 2022 and 2023, Chef Bayma led the food and beverage activations for the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The festival, which draws international filmmakers, celebrities, and dignitaries, required culinary direction at the highest level.

Her work involved:

• Designing thematic menus that reflected the festival’s global spirit.
• Collaborating with Michelin-starred chefs and luxury suppliers.
• Creating VVIP dining experiences for Hollywood stars, royal families, and global media.
• Managing large-scale catering operations that fed thousands of attendees.

Her success at the festival showcased her ability to merge cultural authenticity with international standards, making food an integral part of the cinematic celebration.

MDL Beast Music Festival – Feeding the Elite at Scale

In 2019, the MDL Beast Music Festival made history as the largest cultural event in Saudi Arabia. Chef Bayma directed the VVIP F&B sector, creating luxury dining lounges and backstage experiences for a guest list that included global musicians, celebrities, and royalty.

Balancing festival energy with luxury precision, she proved that fine dining could thrive even in unconventional settings, setting new standards for how culinary experiences can amplify entertainment events.

Cartier and Michael Kors – Fashion Meets Gastronomy

Luxury fashion houses like Cartier and Michael Kors turned to Chef Bayma to design exclusive dining experiences for private viewings and royal events.

For Cartier, she created menus that mirrored the brand’s elegance and artistry, while for Michael Kors, she managed F&B operations for royal private showings, aligning every detail of dining with the sophistication of the fashion world.

These collaborations cemented her reputation as a chef who could translate brand identity into culinary experiences, a rare and valuable skill in luxury hospitality.

Mastercard Priceless Live-Stream Shows – Innovation in Crisis

During the pandemic, when live events halted, Chef Bayma embraced digital innovation. With Mastercard, she hosted Priceless Live-Stream Cooking Shows, teaching global audiences from her kitchen.

This initiative:

• Reinvented luxury culinary engagement for a virtual world.
• Showcased her teaching and showmanship skills.
• Reinforced her adaptability in times of global uncertainty.

By turning crisis into opportunity, she positioned herself as a pioneer in digital hospitality.

Recognition and Awards – Celebrating Excellence

Chef Bayma’s career has been decorated with recognition from peers and international media alike:

• Featured in CNN International (2024) as a culinary leader from the Middle East.
• Named among the Top Caterers in the Middle East (2022 & 2023).
• Winner of two Silver Medals at the Golden Torque ME Awards.
• Served as a referee on the popular TV show “Kitchen Killadi.”
• Speaker and panelist at Gulfood, Dubai, one of the world’s largest F&B exhibitions.
• Curated Michelin Chef VVIP dining experiences in Saudi Arabia.

Each award reflects not just her skill but also her ability to consistently deliver excellence on a global stage.

Leadership in Culinary Mentorship

Chef Bayma believes in building a legacy beyond her own career. Through CBC Consultancy and her industry involvement, she actively mentors the next generation of chefs.

She emphasizes:

• Empowering women in hospitality to break into leadership roles.
• Teaching chefs to combine business knowledge with culinary creativity.
• Encouraging innovation rooted in cultural respect and sustainability.

Her mentorship ensures that her influence extends far beyond her own achievements, shaping the future leaders of global gastronomy.

Professional Affiliations and Certifications

Her credibility is reinforced by her professional affiliations:

• London City and Guilds Certified – validating her technical expertise.
• Member of the Emirates Culinary Guild – supporting culinary growth in the UAE.
• Active participant in The Dubai Chef Collective – collaborating on innovation with other top chefs.

These affiliations reflect her ongoing commitment to professional growth and industry collaboration.

Culinary Philosophy – Food as Art, Experience, and Business

At the core of her work is a philosophy that food is not just about eating but about connection, storytelling, and transformation.

She views food as:

• Art – every plate is a canvas.
• Experience – dining must engage all senses.
• Business – hospitality must be commercially sustainable.

This holistic view allows her to balance creativity with profitability, making her invaluable to both clients and corporations.

A Woman Redefining Culinary Leadership

In an industry still largely dominated by men, Chef Bayma’s journey stands out as a beacon of female leadership in luxury hospitality. She has broken barriers, proving that with resilience, skill, and vision, women can lead at the highest levels of global gastronomy.

Her rise serves as inspiration not only for chefs but for anyone striving to make their mark in industries where tradition and gender dynamics still pose challenges.

Vision for the Future – Global Expansion and Sustainable Luxury

Looking ahead, Chef Bayma envisions a future where luxury dining and sustainability coexist. Her goals include:

• Expanding CBC Consultancy and Events into Europe, Asia, and North America.
• Advocating for sustainable practices in luxury hospitality.
• Creating more mentorship opportunities for aspiring chefs.
• Continuing to collaborate with global brands and cultural events to elevate food experiences.

Her legacy will not only be her past achievements but also the future she is actively building—one where food is sustainable, inclusive, and globally influential.

A Culinary Legacy in Motion

The story of Chef Vanessa Bayma is one of passion, resilience, innovation, and leadership. From her heritage-driven beginnings in Sicilian and Brazilian kitchens to her role as a culinary strategist and global hospitality consultant, she has redefined what it means to be a chef in the 21st century.

Her career reflects a powerful truth: food is not merely about taste but about creating memories, building connections, and shaping cultures. Through her artistry, consultancy, and mentorship, she continues to inspire chefs, clients, and industries worldwide.

Chef Vanessa Bayma is more than a name in hospitality—she is a legacy in motion, a symbol of how culinary passion can transform into global influence and timeless impact.

Chef Vanessa Bayma – Her Culinary Journey

The journey of Chef Vanessa Bayma is a story of passion, resilience, and vision that began long before she stepped into the professional world of luxury hospitality. Born into a rich cultural heritage, she was deeply influenced by her Sicilian and Brazilian grandmothers, whose kitchens were alive with the aromas of tradition, creativity, and love. By the age of 13, Vanessa was already experimenting with flavors, discovering how food could tell stories and bring people together.

Her career unfolded across diverse settings—hotels, resorts, private yachts, embassies, and royal residences—where she mastered the art of cooking not just for taste, but for experience. As an Executive Chef, Catering Chef, and Consultant, she honed her skills in environments where precision, creativity, and discretion were essential. Each role deepened her expertise, preparing her for a future where she would not only cook but lead, innovate, and inspire.

With over two decades of experience, Vanessa made a bold leap, founding CBC Consultancy and Events, a firm she established in partnership with TPHQ Events Management. Based in Dubai and Saudi Arabia, CBC became a trusted name for luxury event catering, private dining, menu creation, brand activations, and hospitality training.

Her projects span the globe—from directing all F&B activations for the Red Sea International Film Festival to orchestrating VVIP dining at MDL Beast Festival, creating menus for Cartier and Michael Kors, and even hosting Mastercard Priceless Live-Stream Shows during the pandemic.

Through every step of her journey, Chef Vanessa Bayma has balanced culinary artistry with business acumen, redefining what it means to be a chef in today’s world. Her story is not just about food—it is about creating experiences, inspiring others, and shaping the future of luxury hospitality worldwide.