Chef Donneaux (Belgium) comes straight from the industry where he gained a vast amount of experience. He graduated from the Culinary Institute of Namur, Belgium, where he learned the secrets of the classical French cuisine. With over 24 years of professional experience in Belgium, France and the US, Chef Donneaux had the chance to work with some of the most recognized and distinguished names in the culinary industry: World renowned 3 Michelin star Chef Guy Savoy and Chef Thomas Henkelmann. After receiving the practical and theoretical knowledge to lead a fine dining kitchen, Chef Donneaux has held Executive Chef and General Manager positions in upscale establishments, where he was in charge of teams with up to 50 kitchen staff . Besides his background in classical French cooking, he is also very familiar and experienced with the American trends in cuisine.

Chef Viktor started his studies at the HRC Academy after years of professional experience, turning his passion for culinary arts into his career path. He trained at the Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin, a luxury hotel with Michelin restaurant in Noordwijk, the Netherlands. Afterwards he spent a year at the Sea Island Resort Golf and Spa in Georgia, USA. His culinary experience also includes positions in Bulgaria and in the Kempinski group in Germany. Chef Viktor is a well-rounded professional with an additional degree in Marketing and Management and has a proven track record in human resources management, and business operation management. Chef’s favorites are Artisan bread making.

Chef Lyuben Koychev started his culinary journey at the young age of 14 in his hometown – Gabrovo. After graduating from high school, he joined HRC Culinary Academy and head-started his international culinary career in restaurants around the Netherlands, Belgium, and Croatia. For the past 6 years he was managing the culinary team of MasterChef Bulgaria for 3 years and another 3 years, as Chef Viktor Angelov`s right hand and culinary coordinator of Hell`s Kitchen Bulgaria. He was also a Head Chef of the restaurants Andre by Andre Tokev and Chef`s by Viktor Angelov. He has a passion for exotic spices, flavors, and unique ingredients. Chef Koychev is now an Executive Chef of Talents Restaurant, sharing his knowledge and passion for food with the 3rd semester students of HRC Culinary Academy.

HRC alumnus Daniel Nikolov has worked in France and Malta, but most notably - in a luxury hotel chain in the Netherlands and Belgium. Chef Nikolov is now Sous-chef and Head of pastry at Talents restaurant. Since his early teenage years, Daniel Nikolov has worked in restaurants in Sofia, but dreaming big, he decided to explore the culinary world in France and Malta. To become a true professional, he enrolled in HRC Culinary Academy. During his internship in Netherlands and Belgium, Daniel used all his skills and experience to become Executive chef Trung Hoang-Dat’s sous chef at Pillows Boutique hotel chain. Soon, he competed with the most talented European chefs in a tournament organized by 2-Michelin star Chef Ron Blaauw in the Netherlands. Moreover, Daniel’s hard work and contribution helped Pillows Grand Hotel Place Rouppe restaurant get a high Gault Millau score. Today Daniel is a sous chef and head of pastry at Talents restaurant, where he motivates and guides young culinary professionals.

Having graduated our culinary academy (HRC Culinary Academy) she has a vast international experience in the hospitality industry since 2013! Victorija has worked in numerous highly regarded kitchens across the globe! So far her journey has brought her back to Sofia where she develops her professional and personal skills at Nikolas0/360, where she is the sous-chef! Together with her team they hold prizes such as "Best Restaurant" in Bulgaria 2017, Best Signature Cuisine 2017, 2018 and multiple other awards. In 2015 she aces the 1st place for the best Pastry chef in a culinary competition organised by the American Culinary Federation! Victorija is passionate about bold flavors and experimenting in the kitchen! One of her main strives is to promote women being chefs as she believes that in a male-dominated field, female chefs find the best way to get ahead is to support one another!

Chef Nikola Krumov started his professional career in 2008 in his hometown Svishtov. In 2012 he continued his culinary journey in the USA at the Hilton Hotel. He worked in some of the best restaurants in Bulgaria, including as Head chef at the Chef`s Live restaurant by Viktor Angelov. He was part of the culinary team of Hells Kitchen Bulgaria for 3 years. In 2020, inspired by seasonal local products and old Balkan recipes, he launched the PopUpCooking by Nikola format. Chef Krumov is now a Sous-chef of Talents restaurant and shares his knowledge with the 3rd semester students of the Academy.