Anamaria Horghidan
Abbotts Langley,United Kingdom
Summary
I am a dedicated chef and with over ten years of experience running a steakhouse in a luxury ski resort. My focus is on simple, quality cooking–specializing in Brazilian churrascaria, Mediterranean flavors, and live-fire grilling. I enjoy working with premium ingredients and take pride in training and supporting my kitchen team to deliver consistent, memorable meals for our guests. In addition to my kitchen experience, I've pursued ongoing learning in areas like finance and technology. I believe this well-rounded perspective helps me contribute not just in creating dishes, but also in supporting the broader success of a restaurant. I'm always eager to learn, collaborate, and bring a steady, hard-working approach to a professional kitchen.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work history
Junior Sous Chef
The Three Compasses – Little Alpine
Watford, Hertfordshire
2025.11 - Current
• Support Head Chef and Sous Chef in daily gastropub operations
• Manage prep, stock rotation, and ordering to maintain smooth workflow
• Train junior chefs in standards, hygiene, and efficient working practices
• Contribute to specials and seasonal menu items
• Maintain strong coordination with FOH for seamless service
• Planned and directed food preparation in fast-paced restaurant environments.
Owner and Executive Chef
Alsottobosco Steakhouse Churrascaria
Madonna di Campiglio
2014.12 - 2025.09
- Founded and operated a premium steakhouse in the prestigious Madonna di Campiglio ski resort, specializing in authentic Brazilian churrascaria
- Developed innovative menu featuring premium and exotic meats including Japanese A5 Wagyu and Australian Kangaroo alongside traditional Brazilian cuts
- Mastered specialized aging, marinating, and fire-roasting techniques to enhance distinct flavor profiles and optimal tenderness
- Created sophisticated tasting menus blending traditional churrasco with contemporary culinary artistry
- Established and maintained direct relationships with international suppliers for premium ingredient sourcing
- Implemented rigorous quality control standards across all meat selection, preparation, and cooking processes
- Trained and mentored kitchen staff in specialized butchery techniques and precision grilling methods
- Positioned the restaurant as a distinguished culinary destination through consistent execution and creative menu development
Head chef
Ristorante LaBuca
Folgarida, Italy
2008.06 - 2014.11
- Led all kitchen operations for a high-volume authentic Italian restaurant, managing a team of 6 kitchen staff while maintaining exceptional quality standards
- Developed and executed seasonal menus featuring traditional Italian cuisine with contemporary interpretations, focusing on fresh local ingredients
- Mastered traditional Italian cooking techniques including handmade pasta, risotto, and sauce preparation
- Created daily specials based on market availability and seasonal ingredients, showcasing regional Italian flavors
- Trained and mentored junior chefs in authentic Italian cooking methods and plating presentation
- Maintained strict kitchen organization and mise en place for efficient service during peak hours
- Ensured consistent quality and authenticity across all dishes while managing high-pressure service
- Managed all aspects of the kitchen, ensuring smooth operation.
Education
Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate - Cybersecurity
- Cybersecurity Solutions and Microsoft Defender
- Cybersecurity Identity and Access Solutions using Azure AD
- Cybersecurity Threat Vectors and Mitigation
- Put It to Work: Prepare for Cybersecurity Jobs
- Play It Safe: Manage Security Risks
- Connect and Protect: Networks and Network Security
- Foundations of Cybersecurity
- Automate Cybersecurity Tasks with Python
IBM AI Developer Professional Certificate - Artificial Intelligence & Data Science
- Applied Data Science Specialization (IBM)
- Applied Data Science Capstone
- Generative AI for Software Developers Specialization (IBM)
- Generative AI Fundamentals
- Generative AI: Prompt Engineering Basics
- Generative AI: Introduction & Applications
- Introduction to Generative AI for Data Analysis
Python & Programming
- Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python) - University of Michigan
- Python Data Structures - University of Michigan
- Using Python to Access Web Data - University of Michigan
- Using Databases with Python - University of Michigan
- Capstone: Retrieving, Processing & Visualizing Data with Python - University of Michigan
- Python for the Absolute Beginner - KodeKloud
- Introduction to Software Engineering - IBM
Finance & Business
- Machine Learning for Trading Specialization - New York Institute of Finance & Google Cloud
- Fundamentals of Equities - Interactive Brokers
- Financial Markets - Yale University
- Google Ads for Beginners - Coursera
- Create a Lead Generation Messenger Chatbot using Chatfuel - Coursera
Skills
Live‐fire grilling & churrascaria
Premium meat preparation (A5 Wagyu, exotic cuts, dry‐aging)
Mediterranean & Italian cuisine
Seasonal menu development
High‐pressure service management
Butchery & marination techniques
Stock control & waste reduction
Food safety & HACCP standards
Team training & leadership
FOH/BOH communication
Languages
Romanian (native)
Native
English (advanced)
Advanced
Italian (bilingual)
Fluent
French (intermediate)
Elementary
Interests
Continuous Learning – Expanding knowledge through online platforms in finance, cybersecurity, and creative technologies., Travel & Cultural Immersion – Exploring new destinations, culinary traditions, and local craftsmanship., Digital Design & Automation – Creating chatbots, optimizing marketing funnels, and innovating customer engagement through automation., Culinary Arts – Experimenting with global cuisines, developing recipes, and crafting unique dining experiences., AI & Emerging Tech – Hands-on exploration of artificial intelligence and generative tools reshaping industries., Financial Literacy – Researching market trends, investment strategies, and global economic developments.
Timeline
Junior Sous Chef - The Three Compasses – Little Alpine
2025.11 - Current
Owner and Executive Chef - Alsottobosco Steakhouse Churrascaria
2014.12 - 2025.09
Head chef - Ristorante LaBuca
2008.06 - 2014.11
- IBM AI Developer Professional Certificate, Artificial Intelligence & Data Science
- , Python & Programming
- , Finance & Business
- Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate, Cybersecurity