Matthew Barber

Matthew Barber has been appointed Director of Food and Beverage at Four Seasons Hotel Doha. In his new role, Barber will be responsible for the operations and the making of strategic decisions for the food and beverage outlets of the luxury property.

Although Barber’s both career and education life started off in the United States, he decided to make his first major move around the globe in 2006 to broaden his knowledge on the world’s finest wines in German wine school in Koblenz, Germany, then received his certification from Master Sommelier Association in Aspen, Colorado.

As the former Director of Food and Beverage at Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff Johannesburg in South Africa, which was one of the best hotels in the continent according to Conde Nast Traveler, Barber quotes British-Swiss philosopher Alain de Botton on his passion for working and travelling abroad: “The pleasure we derive from journeys is perhaps dependent more on the mindset with which we travel than the destination we travel to.”

Adding banquets and restaurant management to broaden his knowledge on food and beverage, Barber also had experience in many restaurants, private clubs and ski resorts in the past, which eventually led him to escape from the snow and find himself in sunny Doha.

“Upon further experience, I’m happy to say that Doha is a place of sophistication, progressive perspectives and rich tradition,” Barber says regarding his move to Qatar. “This combined with 2022 World Cup makes for one very dynamic city.”

Barber is a graduate of Johnson and Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island and holds an Associates and a Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary Arts and Food Service Management. He holds passion for embracing the location he’s living in in by exploring some of his favourite childhood activities such as camping, sailing and fishing – as well as visiting new destinations, starting off with Italy this upcoming year. He’s also a big fan of exercising with every chance that he gets. A firm believer in empathy and being kind, Barber quotes Maya Angelou: “People will forget what you said, forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Four Seasons Hotel Doha General Manager Jeff Rednour adds, “We’re delighted to have Matt as a part of the team – his knowledge and experience as a Four Seasons veteran will bring our Doha property so much to offer. We are very much looking forward to his ideas and enhancements with the renovation and rebranding of our food and beverage outlets in the upcoming months.”