The story of Rayza’s begins in Jakarta, Indonesia, where Rayza was born and raised. Most of his childhood was spent in the kitchen where he fell in love with the art of cooking. Rayza landed his first job in the kitchen of a 5-star hotel called Nikko.
At 19, he left his country for Dubai, determined to turn his passion for food into a career. Here he studied his art meticulously and learned the ins and outs of the entire hospitality industry.
After developing a solid foundation in the Middle East, Rayza set his sights on his life-long dream: He made his way to the United States.
His journey to the US began in the galley of a cruise ship that operated out of the port of Miami, FL. As a chef on this ship, he held many different positions and gained valuable experience cooking a wide variety of cuisines.
Rayza routinely turns customers into friends and managers into partners. Rayza has had the opportunity to help multiple restaurants throughout his career with their grand openings as well as getting them off the ground.
In 2012, Chuck’s Fish of Tuscaloosa, AL, where Rayza was head chef and sushi roller, was voted “BEST SUSHI IN ALABAMA.” After helping to open an additional Chuck’s location in Mobile, AL, that location has won multiple Nappie Awards (The Lagniappe Magazine) as having the “BEST SUSHI IN MOBILE” and has become the Gulf Coast “HOT SPOT” for sushi.
Now with more than 20 years of experience in every aspect of the industry, Rayza is ready for that last step, the next chapter in his journey to culinary success, opening his own restaurant. Rayza’s is the culmination of a life-long dream. Welcome to Rayza’s!