Leading the culinary innovations of the Iconic Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya
Stephan Matz is a seasoned hotelier from Germany, with 23 years of experience in the hospitality industry. In his new role as Executive Chef, Stephan will be taking over the culinary operations of Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya.
Stephan began his career in 1998 as an apprentice at the legendary Grand Hyatt Berlin, Germany. During his journey with Hyatt, his creativity, talent, hard work and achievements were instantly recognized, and in 2012 he was promoted to the position of Executive Chef at the landmark of east Africa, Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam, the Kilimanjaro. He managed the daily operations in three restaurants, banquets and in-room dining of the luxurious 180-room property. In addition to Hyatt, he gained vast experience working with various hospitality brands across countries such as, United States of America, Germany, Spain, Tanzania, Turkey, Oman and Egypt. In his recent role as Executive Chef at Steigenberger Al Dau Hotels, he led the culinary operations of two properties that consisted of a massive 720-room luxury hotel and a luxury boutique property, alongside ten restaurants, the Gourmet Market, bars, a nightclub, and an aquapark. He was responsible for developing the culinary experience, hygiene protocols and menu engineering of their in-room dining and restaurants, all in collaboration with the business development team, while leading his team of 100 chefs and 60 stewards. In February 2021, he decided to return to Hyatt as Executive Chef of Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya.
“Riyadh is a vibrant and fast-paced market, open to experimentation, where the locals warmly welcome creative new trends. My arrival in the local market coincides with the city’s unprecedented time of growth and opportunity,” said Stephan. “After learning about Vision 2030, witnessing the iconic Riyadh Season and observing the development process that Riyadh, and Saudi Arabia as a whole, is undergoing, I believe my creativity and passion for whipping up innovation via food will introduce the locals to a whole different world of culinary experience which happens to be critical for success in the local market. Hyatt is well known as a F&B industry leader and innovator and Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya already has a strong reputation in the local F&B market. I look forward to exploring the vast potential of the property along with my team in the coming months.”
Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya opened its doors to guests in January 2017. The hotel offers 261 spacious guestrooms including 40 suites, spread across 28 floors. All guestrooms and suites feature panoramic views of the vibrant city of Riyadh. Conveniently located at Olaya Street and King Fahad Road − a growing financial district in Riyadh − and in close proximity to the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) and the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center, Hyatt Regency is a business and leisure brand that offers the business traveler convenience in location, modern technology to ensure that they are always connected to what matters most to them, well-equipped meeting facilities and authentic restaurants in a stylish and comfortable environment. In September 2020, Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya became the first hotel in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and one of the first hotels in Middle East to be accredited by Global Biorisk Advisory Council® (GBAC) STAR™. GBAC is the gold standard for prepared facilities, and the accreditation further enhances the operational guidance and resources around colleague and guest safety and peace of mind that is paramount at Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya. Hyatt’s strategy is aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which focuses on stimulating tourism and boosting the Kingdom’s economy.
