Borislav Ekzarhov is one of the most prominent representatives of the confectionery profession in Bulgaria.

He acquired his professional qualification in the Technical School of Public Catering in Sofia (1990 – 1993), College of Tourism in the town of Varna (1991-1994) qualifying as Hotel and Restaurant Manager. He later excelled in the specialty of Economics of Tourism at the University of National and World Economy in Sofia.

Borislav started his pastry career in 1991 at “Sheraton Sofia Hotel Balkan” in Sofia.

Five years later, working hard and learning under the supervision of several foreign nationals pastry chefs, he was promoted to Head of the Pastry Department of the hotel. Chef Ekzarhov shares that, working at the “Sheraton Sofia Hotel Balkan”, a member of the “Luxury Collection” brand of the then “ITT Sheraton” world famous hotel chain, had been a great honor and experience, but immense responsibility to satisfy and exceed guests’ satisfaction and tastes.

Until 2002, the hotel had been hosting many delegations and world leaders, royalties and personalities like King Gustav of Sweden, Princes Anna of the UK, King Juan Carlos of Spain, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, USA President Bill Clinton, German Chancellor Helmut Kohl. During this period of time chef Exarhov was responsible also for the creation of the desserts menu for the newly established Airline Catering Department at the hotel, doing catering for German Airlines “Lufthansa”, “British Airways” and “Austrian Airlines”.

Specializations:

In 1996 he specialized  pastry arts in Vienna with chef Wilhelm Hendel, Pastry Chef at “Hotel Imperial”, member of “The Leading Hotels of the World” and  the “Luxury Collection“ brand of the “ITT Sheraton“, and at the famous Cafe “Central Palais Ferstel”.

In 2008 Borislav Ekzarhov specialized on Italian Cuisine at the “Squola Albergiera di Ristorante di Seramazoni” in Italy.

In the years to follow, Borislav Ekzarhov took different challenges to improve his abilities and master new skills.  He launched his own business mark “Art Mix” and succeeded within a couple of years to make prosperous.

In 2003 he opened the doors of his own Art-Café “Dalida”.

He has been quality consultant for well-known restaurants, food outlets and hotels like “Vila Café”, “Maraya”, “Maria Luisa Hotel”, “Grand Hotel Sofia”, “Victoria Restaurants”, “Café Lavaza”, “Asenevzi” Restaurant in the town of Veliko Tarnovo and others.

Proffesional experience:

Chef Borislav Ekzarhov had been Head of Pastry on Carnival Cruise lines vessel from 2005 till 2007. Head of Pastry at the “Sheraton Poznan” Hotel in the town of Poznan in Poland from 2008 to 2009 and on Fred Olssen Cruise lines  from 2009 to 2011. Working abroad gave him the opportunity to achieve great experience, to meet culinary experts from all over the world and to enrich his portfolio of culinary recipes.  From 2011 Borislav was responsible creating  the Desserts Menu of “Victoria” Chain of Restaurants.

In 2014 Borislav Ekzarhov and Radi Stambolov became partners in “Gavrosh Gourmet”, a company with 15 years of pastry experience. The company portfolio marks projects like “Galactic Ice-cream” made with liquid nitrogen and a “Cake of the Future” with 3D Mapping. “Transformations” is a project connecting the transformation of non-traditional for pastry ingredients into tempting desserts with presentations in the towns of Sofia, Stara Zagora, Varna and Plovdiv.

Borislav Ekzarhov is a member of Euro-Toques Bulgaria from its foundation and a member of its Control Council as of 2010.

From 2011 Borislav Ekzarhov is a Judge of the National Culinary Cup of Bulgaria, organized by the Bulgarian Association of Professional Chefs in the category Best Pastry Chef. He was Judge of the first competition “Designer Cakes” in 2012.

In 2015  Borislav Ekzarhov and Radi Stambolov founded  Pastry Club Bulgaria.

In 2017 Borislav Ekzarhov and Radi Stambolov founded  Pastry Academy.