Zineb Hattab, also known as Zizi Hattab, is a Spanish-Moroccan chef who has transformed the culinary landscape in Zurich, Switzerland, with her vegan restaurant KLE. Through her cooking, Hattab has not only achieved prestigious accolades such as a Michelin star and Gault Millau points but has also become a fervent advocate for sustainability and workplace well-being in the restaurant industry.
Biography
Born on July 23, 1989, in Blanes, Spain, Hattab has Moroccan roots and began her academic path by studying engineering in Barcelona before moving to Switzerland in 2012, where she worked as a software developer. However, her passion for cooking led her to leave her engineering career in 2014 to fully dedicate herself to gastronomy, training in some of the world's most renowned restaurants, including Massimo Bottura's Osteria Francescana and the Roca brothers' El Celler de Can Roca.
In 2020, during the pandemic, Hattab opened KLE in Zurich, introducing a completely vegan dining concept that quickly garnered critical acclaim, earning Gault Millau points and a Michelin star, the first for a vegan restaurant in Switzerland. KLE is distinguished by innovative dishes like beet tartare, proving that vegan cuisine can compete at the highest level of global dining. Hattab has also opened DAR, a restaurant and cocktail bar, followed by Cor, a wine and pinchos bar, expanding her influence in Zurich's culinary world.
Zineb Hattab stands as a prominent figure in contemporary gastronomy, not just for her culinary successes but also for her commitment to promoting a healthy and sustainable work environment. Through her restaurants, Hattab continues to challenge conventions, demonstrating that culinary excellence, sustainability, and staff well-being can be combined.
