A long experience in the kitchen allows Denis Cerri to take his first steps in changing the concept of gourmet cuisine. Until now, gourmet cuisine has been considered unhealthy and filled with binders, thickeners, and ingredients that can enhance flavors but simultaneously destroy nutritional values. The use of innovative techniques and ingredients such as agave instead of sugar, extra virgin olive oil in every dish, and sourdough makes Denis’s dishes as healthy as they are delicious.

Denis began his career at Padam, from where he learned a lot about the quality of ingredients and the basics of cooking. He then moved to Prishtina, where he worked for several years at the à la carte restaurant of the Marriot brand, undergoing extensive training on food allergens and their risks.

But the cherry on top is Denis’s experience at Noma in Copenhagen, the best three-Michelin-star restaurant in the world for several consecutive years. There, he learned about the transformation of ingredients, innovations, and fermentations. Combining these experiences, Denis is ready for the opening of Oh, Lola! and joins this new vision of Albanian culinary arts.

Part of our team since the beginning, Aleks is our sous chef that ensures that the quality of our dishes never drops. Boundless passion for culinary excellence he is the representation of dedication and talent in the kitchen.  But beyond the culinary mastery lies a heart of gold and a sense of humor that lights up the kitchen. Whether it’s cracking a joke to ease tension or lending a helping hand without hesitation, Aleks’s presence in the kitchen is as indispensable as his culinary skills.

After Aleks accidentally discovered his passion for cooking, he immediately started culinary school. After finishing school, he began his journey at Padam Tirana, where he worked for nearly 3 years. At Padam, he had the opportunity to observe the first techniques of high-class cooking and the finesse of the dishes. Following his initial experience, he decided to take another step in his career and joined the Marriott hotel chain. He started as a Chef de Partie at the à la carte restaurant of the Four Points by Sheraton hotel, later concluding his journey within the hotel network as a sous chef.

Strong and extremely talented, Emi is our Chef de Partie. Responsible for all of our appetizers, tacos and all the pretty desserts at Oh, Lola! Emi graduated from Hospitality and Tourism School of Tirana and during her schooling period, she completed internships in various places around Tirana, where she learned a lot from each experience. Her passion for cooking started at a young age during a trip to Italy, where she saw how passionately her aunt and uncle worked in their pizzeria.

In her free time, she watched cooking shows featuring renowned chefs from around the world, with a particular interest in Japanese cuisine, while also appreciating her grandmother’s delicious dishes and European cuisine. Her great desire to learn in the kitchen led her to try many aspects of cooking, from meat to fish, but a special place in her heart is reserved for the art of desserts. Now, she has taken this to another level, focusing on creating not only sweet but also healthy treats.

Passionate about cooking from a young age, Arben was encouraged by his uncle to explore the culinary world. When his uncle expressed a desire to visit a friend in Shkodër to learn cooking, he gladly accompanied him. This marked the beginning of his journey as a cook. He quickly immersed himself in mastering traditional recipes, and within three months, he found himself employed in a hotel kitchen. Tasked with learning the art of pizza making, he embraced the opportunity and soon excelled.

Seeking new experiences, he ventured abroad and found himself working in a classic pizzeria. Within a year, he became renowned in the culinary scene of London. Upon returning to Albania, he now proudly works as a pizza chef at Oh, Lola!. With his skilled hands, he crafts Neapolitan-style pizzas using sourdough, known for its health benefits and amazing taste and texture.

Niko is our floor manager. Some call him half man and half machine because he never stops working. He ensures that the quality of the service at Oh, Lola! is always of the highest standard. Niko discovered his passion for the hospitality industry after working as a teacher for many years and has developed an extensive career. He began his professional journey as an assistant manager and waiter at Europa Cafe, where he worked for eight years. Following this, he served as a restaurant waiter at Villa Ferdinand and then as a Head Waiter at Hotel Restaurant Pizzeria Gloria. His most significant role was at Hotel Boutique Padam with EBG Company in Tirana, where he worked for over five years as a Restaurant Head Waiter. Here, he gained valuable experience in high-class cooking techniques and the finesse required for gourmet dishes.

Niko holds several practical certificates for tourism hotels from the Regional Directorate of Vocational Training and Flower Hotel SPA. He also has a degree in Geography from the University of Tirana. His language skills include proficiency in English, Italian, Greek, and German. Throughout his career, Niko has demonstrated a strong ability to work in team settings and adapt to diverse, multicultural environments, making him a highly skilled and versatile professional in the hospitality industry.