MEET OUR CHEF
The passion, tradition, and creativity behind every plate.
Chef Endalkachew Zewdu Mekonnen
Chef Endalkachew Zewdu Mekonnen is the owner and executive chef of Nazret Ethiopian Restaurant in Falls Church, Virginia. He graduated from CTTI Culinary School in Ethiopia and continued his education in Culinary Arts and Business Management in the United States.
Chef Endalk spent 13 years at the Addis Ababa Hilton, gaining extensive experience in fine dining, banquets, and professional kitchen operations. He later served for eight years as a head chef and restaurant manager. After moving to the United States, he continued his Hilton career, advancing from sous chef to executive chef.
He founded Emmunal Cooking School in Ethiopia and trained more than 600 students for careers in hotels and restaurants. He also hosted a television cooking program, won several culinary competition awards, and received international recognition in Madrid, Spain.
At Nazret, Chef Endalk prepares authentic Ethiopian food from scratch using fresh ingredients and house-made spices—without MSG, artificial flavors, or artificial colors. His work has been recognized by The Washington Post, Eater DC, Washingtonian, and other publications.
His philosophy is: “Food is meant to be shared, and sharing is an act of love.”
At Nazret Ethiopian Restaurant, Chef Endalkachew focuses on traditional Ethiopian cooking methods using fresh ingredients prepared from scratch. His kitchen avoids MSG, artificial flavors, and frozen foods, reflecting a philosophy rooted in quality, balance, and authenticity. Each dish is prepared with care, honoring long-standing Ethiopian culinary traditions.
In addition to his work as a chef, Chef Endalkachew has been deeply involved in culinary education. He founded a professional cooking school in Ethiopia, where he trained hundreds of students who have gone on to work in restaurants and hotels both locally and abroad. Education and mentorship remain an important part of his professional journey.
Chef Endalkachew’s work has been recognized by guests and local media, and Nazret Ethiopian Restaurant has been featured in publications such as The Washington Post, EATER, Washingtonian, and other regional outlets.
Through his work, Chef Endalkachew aims to share Ethiopian cuisine as a rich, historic, and refined culinary tradition one that brings people together through shared meals and cultural appreciation.
Awarded Medal
