Meet Mohammad Khawaldeh: New chef in town and his creative menu

Since April 2026, guests and foodies alike have been feeling the presence of a new chef in town.

The presence at Radisson Blu Hotel Lagos Ikeja is obvious with the carefully curated menu and exciting presentations, which draw more guests, both in-house and outside, to explore the new offerings by Mohammad Khawaldeh, who is now the new executive chef of the hotel.

Already, he is leading all culinary operations across the hotel, overseeing a portfolio of acclaimed dining experiences, including: Iyeru Okin, the hotel’s buffet restaurant; Cut Steakhouse, the specialty restaurant and more.

As well, he brings his signature blend of innovation, operational excellence, and team development to further enhance the guest experience.

But the reality is that Chef Khawaldeh, as he is fondly called, is equal to the task, considering the immediate impact across the hotel’s restaurants.

He has hit the ground running with the unveiling of some culinary delights and specialties that now adorn the menu of the hotel.

Yet, his signature dish is worth tasting. From his creative juices and culinary innovations, the chef is offering ‘Slow Roasted Short Ribs’, a specialty he takes his time to prepare, bearing in mind the high-profile guests and need to satiate their sophisticated taste buds.

While the process is slow cooking, the ingredients are diverse and nourishing enough.

From short ribs, Olive oil, red onions, sliced garlic cloves, crushed shallots, skinned and to kept whole celery sticks, the chef has enough ingredients to create his specialty.

In addition are: chopped carrot, chopped beef stock, fresh rosemary sprigs, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, salt and pepper, which he combines to deliver on the signature dish.

Offering his expertise, the chef insisted that the menu goes well with red wine. But he also offers options to the guests as he can serve the ribs up with some buttery mashed potatoes and vegetables of choice or with some roasted options too.

The dish, according to Chef Khawaldeh, is the main course and can be served as a la carte or buffet.

So, beyond the exquisite rooms and other great facilities, Chef Khawaldeh’s culinary delight is another reason to visit the hotel.

His great personality is also a big draw for the guests and foodies alike.

He is a highly accomplished and award-winning culinary professional with over 23 years of international experience in luxury hospitality, spanning the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Pacific.

Renowned for his dynamic leadership and innovative approach to gastronomy, he has built a distinguished career delivering exceptional dining experiences across multiple five-star properties.

He joined Radisson Blu Hotel Lagos Ikeja from IHG’s Crowne Plaza Dhaka, where he served as executive chef and earned multiple recognitions for culinary excellence, operational leadership, and cost optimization.

But his extensive career portfolio also includes senior roles with globally respected brands such as Kempinski Hotels, Warwick Hotels & Resorts, Movenpick, Rotana and Hilton where he has led both established operations and successful pre-opening projects.

Specializing in modern Mediterranean Levantine, Asian, and North African cuisines, Chef Khawaldeh is known for his bold creativity, sustainable approach to cooking, and ability to craft innovative menus that balance authenticity with contemporary flair. He has a strong track record of enhancing guest satisfaction while driving revenue growth through strategic menu development and efficient kitchen management.

Meanwhile, Chef Khawaldeh is excited to join the team at Radisson Blu Hotel Lagos Ikeja and to be part of what he described as “a vibrant and dynamic hospitality environment”.

“Nigeria has a rich culinary culture, and I look forward to working with the talented team to create inspiring dining experiences that combine global influences with local flavors, while delivering exceptional quality to our guests,” he assured.

Chef Khawaldeh holds a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts from Damascus University and is fluent in English and Arabic.

He awaits your visit for a special culinary treat at Radisson Blu Hotel Lagos Ikeja.