Qatar, Doha – January 3, 2019.   Chef Cesar De Leon Torres has been named Executive Chef at STK Doha, the new steakhouse opening at the end of January 2019 at The Ritz-Carlton, Doha.

 Born in Uruguay, De Leon Torres cumulates over 18 years of culinary experience. He began his culinary journey as an assistant baker and pastry chef for a small independent bistro in Uruguay, which gave him a taste of the industry. Before graduating from university with a degree in physics and chemistry, he enrolled in a culinary school and moved on to join an award winning steakhouse restaurant in Buenos Aires. He then worked in both Marbella and Madrid, Spain at La Pesquera Restaurant Group where he was able to master a variety of Spanish and Mediterranean dishes, using only the freshest ingredients that came directly from a fishing boat or produce that came straight from the farm. He learned to value and respect the quality of ingredients as great chefs often do in Europe.
 
Two years later, recruited by his previous Head Chef, he made a career move towards American cuisine and returned to Novecento in Miami, USA for the opening of a new restaurant in Coral Gables. While there, he taught culinary students on the hot line during lunch service, and held classes in basic culinary technique in the evenings. He spent a year and a half teaching and running the restaurant with great success before joining the Ladies and Gentlemen at The Ritz-Carlton in Florida as Chef de Cuisine for two restaurants where he built the entire culinary team, developed brand activations, designed the menu assuring quality control, minimizing waste and reviewing staffing levels to ensure that guest satisfaction, operational needs and making sure financial objectives were met. 
 
 He moved to The Middle East for the first time in 2016 to join The Ritz Carlton, Bahrain to open Cantina Kahlo, a brand new concept about art and Mexican cuisine. Soon after the opening, the restaurant received the award of “The Best International Restaurant” and Chef De Leon Torres was honored “Chef of the year 2017” by Food & Travel Magazine. Later on, the restaurant was acclaimed “Best Restaurant of the company in the Middle East and Africa in 2017”.
 
In September 2018, Chef Cesar De Leon Torres moved to Qatar to oversee the culinary team at STK Doha, the legendary modern steakhouse from The One Group. Located at The Ritz-Carlton on the twenty third floor with breathtaking Arabian Sea views, STK features a bustling bar scene, an inspired menu, and a relaxed dining atmosphere with an amazing vibe created by a series of in-house DJs. 
 
Foodies can expect the finest prime cuts with a twist of 28-day custom aged USDA beef with prime selections, chosen for its superior tenderness, juiciness, flavor and fine texture. Each of the mouth-watering cuts available is derived from younger beef to produce the highest degree of marbling, with options including: New York Strip, Tomahawk and the classic Fillet. For those looking for a lighter option, the menu will offer a range of fresh market salads and the restaurant will also have a selection of vegetarian and vegan choices. Rounding off the menu, is an array of scrumptious desserts based on popular classics and local delicacies as well as the extensive drinks menu curated by award winning mixologists. 
 
With locations in London, Milan, Dubai, New York City, Miami and Los Angeles among others, STK Doha will soon become the new hotspot in Qatar that breaks with tradition, offering a take on the classic American steakhouse.