Shakhzod Tukhtaev

Shakhzod Tukhtaev entered the kitchen at 18 at his uncle's invitation — and that single decision launched a journey from Tashkent straight into Moscow's premium dining scene. His first stop was Mr. Li, a restaurant opened by Arkady Novikov himself, staffed by 15–20 Chinese chefs. Shakhzod didn't speak Chinese and started as a prep cook — but step by step, he worked his way up to brigade leader of the Chinese section.

Over 10 years in Moscow, he moved through several Novikov Group restaurants: Semach, Hills, Magadan — pan-Asian cuisine, Italian, seafood. He worked as sous chef and deputy head chef, learning from Australian chef Jonathan Curtis, who personally taught him steak technique, from brand chef Alexander, and from Chinese chef Li — the man who showed him what premium-level flavour truly means.
In January 2025, Shakhzod returned to Tashkent, got married — and immediately joined Kitana. His style: pan-Asian tradition through modern technique, minimalist plating and precise flavour balance.