About Us

About the founder and Master Chef at Lidaar

Born into a family of restaurateurs who pioneered Persian cuisine in London in the mid 1960s, Joe grew up immersed in the glamorous and lively world of food, hospitality, clubs, and cabarets. From a young age, he was surrounded by the energy of late-night venues, live entertainment, and exceptional dining experiences, spending much of his time outside of school at his parents’ restaurant. There, he learned to cook traditional Persian dishes and developed a passion for fusion cuisine long before it became fashionable. Under his parents’ tutelage, Joe mastered the art of food preparation, front-of-house service, and sourcing quality ingredients. Inspired by his upbringing, Joe pursued formal culinary education, followed by on-the-job training in France and Switzerland.

Returning to London, he worked at Sir Terence Conran’s Bluebird restaurant before family expansion brought him to Los Angeles. There, he helped open various family restaurants in the early 2000s. A stint in New York further honed his culinary and managerial skills while running Flute Bar and Lounge’s three locations. Family ultimately lured Joe back to Los Angeles. This time, however, he forwent the family business to apply his decades of experience at the private members’ club Soho House & Co., followed by its sister company Cecconi’s. Joe oversaw front- and back-of-house operations, showcasing his versatile skill set. After successfully managing Cecconi’s, Joe was recruited by the HMFC group as a turnkey consultant to lead the development, design, and layout for a new concept. He spearheaded the project from inception to completion.

He learned to cook traditional Persian dishes and developed a passion for fusion cuisine long before it became fashionable

Most recently, he served as F&B Director at the private members’ hotel Petit Ermitage in West Hollywood. Joe currently resides in Rancho Cucamonga with his wife and three children, eager to share his passion for exceptional food and hospitality at Lidaar. With a wealth of culinary experience and a lifelong passion for Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors, Joe is excited to bring the vibrant tastes and warm hospitality of those rich cultures to Lidaar.

At Lidaar, we look forward to creating a memorable dining experience for guests, whether joining for a leisurely meal or a quick bite in a fast-casual setting. There is something for everyone with delicious, diverse dishes that celebrate the heart and soul of the Mediterranean and Middle East.