Chef Issa Al Balushi – The Culinary Visionary
Chef Issa Al Balushi is a name synonymous with innovation, discipline, and deep cultural pride. Revered across Oman and the region, he has spent his life refining not just recipes, but the very experience of food itself. His craft bridges the richness of Omani heritage with the evolving palate of the modern Middle East.
From an early age, Chef Issa’s passion for cooking was evident—not through imitation, but through instinct. While his siblings sculpted sandcastles on the beach, he recalls shaping intricate cakes from the same sand, already imagining himself in a kitchen. That same childhood imagination would one day lead him to graduate from the National Hospitality Institute and rise to become one of Oman’s most celebrated chefs.
Over the years, he has led the kitchens of some of the Sultanate’s most renowned culinary destinations, including Al Mouj Muscat and Oman Air Catering. He is currently the Senior Head Chef at Oman Air and serves as the President of the Oman Chefs Guild—a role that extends his influence beyond the kitchen to the next generation of Omani culinary talent.
A familiar face on television, radio, and at live cooking shows, Chef Issa’s charisma has made him a household name. But his contributions go deeper. As an accredited judge with the World Chefs Association, and an ambassador for global food brands, he lends his reputation to championing quality, sustainability, and culinary integrity.
Chef Issa is also a committed environmental advocate. As a representative for the United Nations Environment Programme’s "Recipe of Change" initiative, he works tirelessly to reduce food waste across West Asia. In his own restaurants, he pioneered waste-tracking systems and redirected surplus food to those in need—an effort that speaks to both his values and his leadership.
His approach to food is rooted in precision, but guided by heart. He once described cooking not as a task, but as “a language through which we remember who we are.” For Chef Issa, food is not only nourishment—it is identity, connection, and legacy.
This is Chef Issa Al Balushi. He doesn’t just cook. He elevates, educates, and inspires—dish by dish, plate by plate.
We are very proud to have him as an ambassador for Top Tanoor.
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