Sunjeh Raja

Sunjeh Raja is the Director and CEO of the International Centre for Culinary Arts (ICCA Dubai), an award-winning culinary training centre established in 2005. ICCA Dubai is recognised for offering high-quality culinary education and globally recognised qualifications, accredited by City & Guilds, London, and endorsed by WorldChefs and the Knowledge & Human Development Authority (KHDA) in Dubai. The centre has trained over 12,000 students from more than 20 countries and was named ProChef ME Cooking School of the Year in 2016 and BBC Good Food ‘Culinary School of the Year’ in 2021.
 

Under Sunjeh’s leadership, ICCA Dubai has gained global recognition and is ranked among the top 10 culinary institutes worldwide. The centre is known for its focus on Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Culinary Arts, offering practical, industry-relevant programmes. Sunjeh also pioneered the ICCA Dubai Culinary Scholarship Program and the One Million Dirhams Continuing Education Award, supporting over 125 young chefs in advancing their careers internationally.

In addition to his work in culinary education, Sunjeh is exploring the future of food through the concept of the "Foodverse," which seeks to revolutionise the food industry through technological and sustainability advancements. He is a strong advocate for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and encourages socially responsible practices within the culinary industry.

Sunjeh’s accolades include being featured in the Caterer Middle East ‘Power 50 List’ for multiple years, receiving the Pro Chef ‘Training Champion’ award in 2014, and winning the Dubai Knowledge Park & Dubai International Academic City ‘Year of Giving’ Award in 2017. He has also contributed to the Dubai Municipality School Initiative in 2018. Before founding ICCA Dubai, Sunjeh held various roles in international operations, deep-sea fishing projects, and cement industry ventures.

Sunjeh Raja was born and raised with a strong academic focus. He pursued his education in natural sciences and earned a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Natural Sciences from Osmania University. His academic journey laid a solid foundation for his future career in various industries, including culinary arts and vocational education.
 

In 1986, Sunjeh Raja began his career as the Manager of Institutional Marketing & Sales at Consortium Marketing Private Limited in India. He worked there for three years, handling institutional marketing and sales for a consumer durable and home appliances brand.
 

In 1989, he joined Everest Cement Industries Limited as Executive Director. He was responsible for implementing a 400 TPD MVSK Technology-based cement plant in Maharashtra, India. He also successfully marketed the company’s maiden IPO, which was oversubscribed by 100 times. Raja's leadership in this role marked the beginning of his career in overseeing large projects.
 

In 1993, Raja moved on to become the Executive Director at ALLJV Limited. Here, he spearheaded the setup of a greenfield deep-sea tuna fishing project in an international joint venture with Koje Shipyard Ltd., Korea. The project included a technical collaboration with Sampoong Shipping Co. Ltd., Korea, and a marketing tie-up with Nissho Iwai Corporation, Japan. This marked a significant phase of his career as he expanded his expertise into international business operations.
 

In 1997, Raja took on a pivotal role as the Director at Data Generale PLC in London, where he managed international operations of the company’s greenfield projects in the South and Southeast Asia region. His leadership in these projects played a key role in shaping his global perspective.

In 2004, Raja took a major step in his career by founding the International Centre for Culinary Arts (ICCA) in Dubai. Established in 2005, ICCA Dubai quickly became an internationally recognised, award-winning culinary training centre. Under Raja’s leadership, ICCA Dubai redefined Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Culinary Arts, making it application-focused and outcome-driven. The centre was built to meet the needs of the fast-evolving hospitality industry, focusing on creating highly skilled culinary professionals.
 

Over the years, ICCA Dubai has received numerous accolades, including being listed among the "Top 10 Culinary Institutes in the World" and awarded the "Recognition of Quality Culinary Education" by the World Association of Chefs Societies (WorldChefs). ICCA has also won prestigious awards like the City & Guilds London Lion Awards in 2016, ProChef ME Cooking School of the Year in 2016, and BBC Goodfood Culinary School of the Year in 2021.
 

In 2014, Raja launched the ICCA Dubai Culinary Scholarship Program for Young UAE Chefs, a groundbreaking CSR initiative. The program offers an annual AED 1 million Continuing Education Award to young, talented, but financially disadvantaged chefs in the UAE. This initiative has helped over 125 chefs complete international qualifications, opening global career opportunities. The program continues to support underprivileged chefs, helping them develop professional skills that propel them to leadership roles within the culinary industry.
 

Raja’s work has been recognised globally with multiple awards. He was included in the Caterer Middle East Power 50 List from 2014 to 2019, which highlights the most influential figures in the Middle Eastern food and beverage industry. In 2014, he was awarded the title of "Training Champion" by Pro Chef for his efforts in advancing culinary education.
 

In 2017, he received the Dubai Knowledge Park & Dubai International Academic City "Year of Giving Award" for his contributions to the region’s education sector. He was also honoured with the "Young Chef Supporter of the Year" award at the Middle East Hospitality Excellence Awards that same year. These recognitions underscore Raja's commitment to culinary education and his support for young chefs in the industry.
 

Raja is also a passionate advocate for sustainability, particularly in food production. He has embraced the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and continually incorporates sustainability into ICCA Dubai's operations and curriculum. Raja is also exploring the future of food through the concept of the "Foodverse," an ecosystem that aims to revolutionise the food industry through technological and sustainability advancements.
 

In 2016, the Fatafeat ICCA Academy Online, a joint initiative between ICCA Dubai and Fatafeat, won the ASBU BroadcastPro "Best Digital Initiative of the Year" award. This innovative project combined television media and online learning to offer culinary education in a new and engaging format.
 

As of 2025, Sunjeh Raja remains the Director & CEO of ICCA Dubai, continuing to lead the centre with a focus on redefining culinary education globally. His vision for ICCA Dubai remains centred around providing high-quality, industry-focused culinary training. He is also overseeing the development of ICCA’s new campus in King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), Saudi Arabia, set to open in the last quarter of 2018, which marks a significant expansion of ICCA Dubai’s influence in the Middle East.

Sunjeh Raja’s vision is to redefine culinary education by making it application-focused, outcome-driven, and aligned with industry needs. He believes in empowering young chefs by providing them with the skills and qualifications required to excel in the global culinary landscape. His commitment to sustainability, innovation, and social responsibility drives ICCA Dubai to continuously enhance training programs, ensuring they stay relevant and impactful. Raja aims to create a future where culinary arts contribute to both professional growth and the broader goals of social development, fostering skilled chefs who can lead and inspire the food industry worldwide.

In 2017, he was included in the Caterer Middle East Power 50 as one of the top influencers in the regional food and beverage sector. This recognition highlighted his leadership in expanding the reach of the International Centre for Culinary Arts (ICCA) Dubai and his dedication to advancing Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the culinary arts. Additionally, in 2017, he received the Middle East Hospitality Excellence Award for "Young Chef Supporter of the Year."
 

In 2016, he was recognised as the No.1 Influencer in Education for F&B by the Caterer Middle East Power 50. ICCA Dubai also won the City & Guilds Lion Award for "International Centre of the Year" and "International Centre of Excellence Middle East."

In 2016, Fatafeat ICCA Academy Online, a collaborative project with Discovery Networks, won the ASBU BroadcastPro "Best Digital Initiative of the Year" award.

In 2014, Raja was named Pro Chef "Training Champion", a testament to his leadership in culinary education. He was also recognised in the Caterer Middle East Power 50 as one of the top 50 leaders in the F&B industry in the region.