Danny Khezzar

He sleeps four hours a night, manages several venues between Geneva and Paris, maintains a career as a rapper and travels the globe organising dinners. At only 30, Danny Khezzar has already left his mark on Geneva’s culinary scene. Born in the “9-3” (Paris’s “rough” suburbs), he’s the son of a plumber and the grandson of a cook who was determined to carve his own path. At fifteen, during a family brunch at the Ritz Paris, he introduced himself to Chef Michel Roth, who showed him the kitchens: it was love at first sight. Ten years later — after being trained (secretly by friends!) at the Paris hotel school and revealed to the public in Season 14 of Top Chef — Danny Khezzar, dreadlocks and all, took over the reins of Bayview, the Michelin-starred restaurant at Geneva’s legendary Hotel President.

“Following a chef like Michel Roth demands a great deal of humility,” he admits. “It was obviously an immense source of pride, but also a real responsibility. My aim was never to copy or replace him, but to bring my own touch to the restaurant, with an emotional, instinctive cuisine that still respects the DNA of the place.” The result: a Michelin star maintained and a score of 18/20 from Gault&Millau.

A deeply emotional cuisine
Trained in the rigour of classic French cuisine, Danny Khezzar cooks as much with his head as his hands. His influences are multiple and mixed: the French tradition passed down by Michel Roth, of course, but also a fascination with Asian cuisine, led by Japanese gastronomy, and the urban culture that shaped him. His cooking resists easy definition. It’s beautiful, instinctive, precise and always rooted in a memory or sensation. “My cuisine resembles me in its contrasts: a great deal of discipline, but also something spontaneous and deeply emotional. I like telling stories through memories and creating experiences that leave a mark on people.”

A perfect example is the new poolside menu at the Hotel President’s Rive Droite Restaurant by Danny Khezzar, opening in late May. “I wanted a lively summer cuisine that’s centred on produce, sharing and freshness,” explains the chef with a mischievous look.

Projects in every direction
Naturally, Bayview alone could never contain the young chef’s overflowing energy. Since September 2025, Rue de Chantepoulet has welcomed Sheesh!, a “spontaneous” street-food counter that revolves around his favourite Japanese sandwich, the katsu sando, revisited with Michelin-starred precision. “It was important to me to open in Geneva, because this is where it all began,” he explains. A few weeks later, Izakaya by Danny Khezzar opened on Quai du Seujet overlooking the Rhône, complete with a festive Japanese atmosphere, a binchotan grill and a cocktail club. “I love creating different worlds,” enthuses the young chef.

In addition to this already frenetic pace are the multiple invite-only dinners he organises all over the world. “They are very special moments that allow me to step outside the classic restaurant framework and offer exclusive, highly creative experiences.”

In the spotlight
Fame and collaborations came quickly. He has 1.2 million followers on Instagram, is a Swiss ambassador for Bvlgari watches, a partner of Geneva’s Automobiles Caveng for

Mercedes-Benz (notably the G-Class) and recently launched the Kai Collection by Danny Khezzar, a line of Japanese knives made in Switzerland. “It’s all done with the same attention to detail and search for emotion, with like-minded partners who seek to create strong and timeless experiences.”

What does he think about his fame? “Extra motivation, a real opportunity! It pushes me to constantly question myself and keep evolving to go even further.” And far is exactly where Danny Khezzar is headed… Several international projects are already in the pipeline, including a restaurant in Monaco. For now, though, this suburban child, who’s become one of Switzerland’s most sought-after chefs, still very much has Geneva at the heart of his passion. “Continuing to develop Bayview remains my priority,” he says. A priority — and a promise.

restaurantbayview.com