Born in Tyre, Lebanon, Barza was first influenced by traditional Lebanese cuisine as a child in his mother's kitchen. Growing up in a war torn country, Barza had no choice but to integrate in one of the many popular militias of the time. Barza served as a personal bodyguard to a personality and major key player in the Lebanese war, before deciding in 1980 to abandon the life of war, and seek better more sustainable opportunities. After enlisting at the Hotel School of Arts in Lebanon,