Shant Halajian

Even as a child in Aleppo, Syria, Shant Halajian dreamed of spending every day creating new dishes and composing beautiful plates. He began by plating his mother’s cooking and assisting restaurant prep cooks before he could even reach the countertops.  After moving to Los Angeles at age 10, Halajian spent his summers helping at the Aleppo restaurant until the Syrian civil war made returning impossible. 

Finding solace through food, he took a job at Carousel Restaurant, a nearby Armenian eatery. Originally hired as a dishwasher, he was promoted to chef de cuisine by age 18.  Seeking a structured professional foundation, Halajian enrolled in the Institute of Culinary Education, earning his culinary arts diploma in 2019. He went on to secure an elite externship at Chef Thomas Keller’s three-Michelin-starred restaurant, The French Laundry, spending nearly two years refining his skills. Halajian then transitioned into hotel operations as the opening executive chef at The Glenmark Hotel in Glendale, California, overseeing multi-venue breakfast, lunch, and dinner services. 

His elite culinary talent later earned him a spot on national television as a contestant on Season 23 of Fox’s Hell’s Kitchen in a special “Head Chefs Only” competition.  Today, Halajian brings his diverse culinary background to DreamHost LLC as corporate executive chef and owner. In his current role, he values, “The opportunity to blend creative dish-development with operational leadership — crafting memorable meals and experiences for guests, mentoring rising chefs, and driving innovation while staying rooted in great service.”

To the next generation of culinary students, Halajian advises: “Be curious, stay humble, and show up ready to learn every day. The kitchens will challenge you — embrace that, ask questions, work hard, and build relationships. Your career will be shaped as much by character and work ethic as by your knife skills.”