Vitaly TikhonovCommunity profile

I was born in Tallinn, where I also received my culinary education, graduating from the Tallinn Culinary School in 2004. I worked extensively in my home country, serving as the head chef at restaurants such as "Korsaar," "Trofee," "Le Bonaparte," and the "Uniquestay hotel." In 2009, I moved to Norway on a seasonal contract and worked at "Knutholmen," serving as the head chef from 2011 to 2015. After Norway, I didn't return to Estonia, but instead moved to Moscow, where I worked as the brand chef at the restaurant G.Graf from 2015 to 2017. In 2017, I opened a loft-style restaurant with an open kitchen in Moscow, and also developed my own online culinary course, EDA.RU. I have experience launching my own projects, including a gastronomic restaurant (as brand chef) and a healthy food delivery service in Tallinn (as a co-owner).

From my student days, I have participated in culinary competitions. In 2011, I became a finalist in a culinary competition in Bergen, Norway, and the following year, I reaffirmed my success. In 2012, I became a member of the Norwegian Association of Chefs, and in 2013, I also joined the Estonian Association. That same year, I participated in the competition for the Kremlin Culinary Cup, where I received silver and bronze medals for preparing fish dishes, as well as a silver medal in the individual category and another bronze medal in the team category. All of this laid the foundation for me to be invited as a judge at "Taste the World by Etihad" in Abu Dhabi in 2017, and to become the official chef of Etihad Airways at the "Taste of Moscow" festival in 2017, which I had won in 2016.

I believe that a true professional is someone who never stops learning. I completed internships at Geranium in Copenhagen (2 Michelin stars), Maaemo in Oslo (3 Michelin stars), and Noma in Copenhagen (3 Michelin stars).

Muay Thai (Thai boxing) is my passion, as is sports in general. I lead a healthy lifestyle, and I don't smoke or drink alcohol. In my free time, I spend time with my family and friends, and when I'm alone, I listen to music.