New Leadership Duo Redefines Excellence At Nobu Doha Four Seasons

Published on July 4, 2024

Dynamic duo Annavi Galindo and Mauro Baldari lead Nobu Doha at Four Seasons Hotel Doha, bringing fresh energy and innovation to elevate the dining experience.

A fresh team is transforming the dining scene at Nobu Doha, located within the Four Seasons Hotel Doha, attracting guests from both near and far. At the helm are Annavi Galindo, the General Manager, and Mauro Baldari, the Chef de Cuisine, who are set to elevate the already distinguished service and richly flavored cuisine that the iconic brand is celebrated for worldwide.

Since opening in 2015, Nobu Doha has become a favorite dining spot for both locals and international visitors in Qatar’s capital, adapting along with the city’s evolving hospitality landscape. The restaurant, situated on its own peninsula at the Four Seasons Hotel Doha, boasts seating for 440 guests indoors and outdoors, featuring a sushi counter, private dining rooms, and a rooftop lounge with stunning views of the Arabian Gulf. The menu caters to both intimate dinners and grand events, offering dinner six days a week, Friday Brunch, Saturday Lunch, exquisite desserts, and unique cocktails with exotic flavor combinations that rival the city’s breathtaking sunsets.

General Manager Galindo’s journey with Nobu Doha began as Assistant General Manager on the pre-opening team. From the outset, she has embraced the nuances of exceptional service, fostered a strong partnership with Four Seasons, and infused a generous amount of “Nobu DNA” into front-of-the-house operations, ensuring a seamless and memorable dining experience.“We have always aspired to stay at the top of our game here and keep things interesting to bring in first-time guests and reconnect with regulars,” she says, adding that “even with so many big hospitality names in town, everyone still wants to see what Nobu Doha is about.”

Chef Baldari echoes those sentiments. “Every dish we create is a story told through the style and tradition of Nobu that inspire devotion around the world. The fact that Nobu Doha is the brand’s biggest outlet as well as the leader in the city gives us a lot of build on.”

Creating a real connection between the restaurant team and guests is a priority. Galindo notes that the training program for new hires is “intense,” with servers taught every element of individual dishes and drinks, as well as how to detail the same at the table. “We want our waiters to know everything, even about the salt and pepper,” she says, noting, “Many guests have very precise tastes or need to be careful about food allergies, so we give them everything to know what to expect.”

Annavi Galindo brings a wealth of experience to her new leadership role at Nobu Doha. Originally from Malaysia, where she studied hospitality and tourism management in Kuala Lumpur, she began her journey with Nobu in Dubai in 2008 as a Hostess Team Leader. She underwent training in public relations before being promoted to Assistant General Manager in 2012.

In 2014, she transferred to the opening team at Nobu Doha, leading a diverse team of over 60 staff while managing the dining room, bar, and rooftop lounge. After several successful years, she pursued other management opportunities in 2022, first with a hospitality company in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and then overseeing new venues for a luxury lifestyle group based in Indonesia.

Mauro Baldari joined the Nobu brand last summer as Sous Chef in Dubai, bringing a deep expertise in Asian cuisine. Now serving as Chef de Cuisine at Nobu Doha, Baldari continues to impress with his culinary skills.

Baldari’s passion for cooking was ignited at a young age, growing up in Puglia, southern Italy, where his father operated the family butchery. This early exposure to the culinary world set him on a path that has now led him to Nobu Doha.“He used to take me to the farm to butcher and divide the animals, and I got very passionate about the process.” That passion grew while helping his mother and uncle cook for big family gatherings.

Upon reaching adulthood, Mauro Baldari began his culinary career at a Korean restaurant in London, where he quickly developed a passion for Asian cuisines. His growing expertise led him to join the Sushisamba brand in London, where he ascended to the role of Senior Sous Chef.

Finally, after shifting gears for a brief run with an Italian steakhouse, Baldari was recruited by Nobu in Dubai. “Within just a few hours, I knew it was the job for me,” he recalls of his year spent as Sous Chef. “The restaurant was busy, and it had a good environment, and we always used premium products. That’s exactly what I wanted as a chef.”

A year later, the corporate leaders at Nobu offered Mauro Baldari the chance to transfer to Nobu Doha as Chef de Cuisine. The prospect of leading the kitchen at the world’s largest Nobu and collaborating with Four Seasons was irresistible. Now, Baldari oversees a team of 18 chefs in the kitchen, dedicated to fostering a culture of learning and growth among his staff.“I think about myself when I was in their position, needing someone who could teach me the techniques to advance. It’s great to be on the other side now moving all of us forward together.”

What about being the new dynamic duo on the restaurant scene in Doha? Mauro Baldari praises the “fresh energy and enthusiasm” that Annavi Galindo brings to Nobu Doha. In turn, Galindo acknowledges Baldari’s talent for creating innovative specials that inspire her team to excel at table service.

“We each have our own energy,” concludes Galindo with a smile, “and we’re both motivated to use it to make Nobu Doha shine.”