Our Chef
Chef Vesselin Kalev joined the team of Zornitza Family Estate, because he knows well and shares the values of Relais & Châteaux. Chef Andre Tokev introduced him to the art of haute cuisine when he was 20 years old and was working at Hilton Hotel. Then, with Chef Emil Minev and Talisman Restaurant, they received the "Restaurant of the Year" award. His professional career took him to Germany, where he kept improving his skills, pursuing his dream – to work in a Michelin-starred restaurant. The dream came true in the most fabulous way – in Burg Wernberg estate, located in a XIII century castle and part of Relais & Châteaux. Vesselin was the only foreigner in the team of Thomas Kellerman, a two Michelin-star chef. His next job was in a one-star restaurant in Bonn, and from 2017 to November 2020 he was Head Chef at Rila Hotel in Borovets. In early 2020, he coached the team winning the Bulgarian edition of the prestigious Bocuse d’Or chefs’ competition.
In the beginning of 2024 Chef Kalev and aEstivum restaurant joined the JRE – one of the most prestigious organizations for head chefs in Europe, uniting over 350 top-notch restaurants and talented chefs.
