About Chef Zivko — Founder of Loza NYC
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A Chef Rooted in Heritage and Inspired by New York
Chef Zivko Radojčić was born in Belgrade, Serbia, into a family deeply connected to gastronomy. His great aunt was a pastry chef to Josip Broz Tito, the first President of Yugoslavia — a lineage that shaped his earliest understanding of food, hospitality, and tradition.
Growing up surrounded by soulful Balkan dishes, Mediterranean flavors, and fresh farm ingredients, Zivko developed a natural appreciation for storytelling through food. These roots later became the foundation of Loza NYC.
From Belgrade to NYC — A Culinary Journey of Precision and Passion
In 2010, Zivko moved to New York City in search of bold new techniques and inspiring challenges. Under the guidance of Michelin-star chefs, he refined the discipline, precision, and creativity required to lead a world-class kitchen.
Throughout his career, he worked in acclaimed restaurants, including:
- Eleven Madison Park
- Daniel
- Jung Sik
- Picholine
- Geisha
- Juni
- Contra
With every new environment, he expanded his craft, blending global techniques with the emotional depth of his culinary roots.
A Chopped Champion
Most recently, Chef Zivko won the cooking competition CHOPPED — Season 46, Episode 17 (“BooZa Blues”), further solidifying his reputation for creativity, precision, and calm mastery under pressure.
Private Chef NYC — A Personalized Approach to Dining
Today, Zivko is known as a leading Private Chef in NYC, offering fully customized dining experiences for intimate dinners, tasting menus, celebrations, and private events.
He creates fully customized menus for intimate dinners, tasting menus, celebrations, and high-end private catering. Whether you have a vision or prefer the chef to design the entire experience, his approach is completely personal.
For clients hosting at home in NYC, CT, NJ, the Hamptons, or surrounding areas, Zivko’s Private Chef Service delivers restaurant-level execution with warmth, precision, and elegance.
Cooking Classes Designed Around You
Alongside private dining, Zivko offers interactive, hands-on Cooking Classes where guests learn techniques, fundamentals, and signature dishes in a relaxed and enjoyable setting.
Every class is tailored to your level and your kitchen — experiential, fun, educational, and entirely personal.
Boutique Private Events with a Signature Touch
Loza NYC also crafts boutique Private Events for birthdays, anniversaries, corporate dinners, and celebrations.
Each event is chef-led, menu-driven, and created with the same attention to detail as a fine dining experience.
The Meaning Behind “Loza”
The word Loza (ˈlozə) originally means “grapevine.”
Over time, it also came to mean “family lineage,” symbolizing the way roots, branches, and generations are connected.
For Chef Zivko, “Loza” represents:
- heritage
- family tradition
- growth
- creativity
- the passion passed down through generations
The name is a tribute to his roots — a way to honor the people who shaped him and the culinary legacy he continues to carry forward.
Our Team
Mission
Our mission is to bring a piece of our heritage, a mixture of the Balkan and Mediterranean cuisine to the New York City scene, and give people a chance to discover a yet undiscovered cuisine in the best possible way.
Vision
Our vision is to delight our customers through delicious, meals and give them an extraordinary customer experience while working toward the greater good for our community and environment in a forward-thinking manner.
Values
– Hospitality
– Authenticity
– Creativity
– Consistency
– Respect
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