MEET Shailender Singh ... Chef's Sarova Panafric Hotel
Shailender Singh popularly known as Sheally is the Director - Food and Beverage Operations for Sarova Hotels. A Chef by profession, Sheally joined Sarova over 9 years ago as Corporate Chef and soon grew his role to manage all F&B operations. Prior to moving here, he was with Intercontinental hotels in South East Asia and before that, in his home country, India, with Sheraton. A highly accomplished Chef, he has served numerous celebrities and heads of state including state visits of Bill Clinton, Tony Blair, Colin Powell, Hillary Clinton, Chancellor Shroeder, Premier Zhu Rong Gi and Hillary Clinton, Cherie Blair, Bill Gates, Sir Richard Branson, Sir Elton John, Brian Adams, Roger Waters amongst others. He also led the team that served Hon. President Kibaki at most presidential functions in Kenya and on overseas visits. We recently caught up with Chef Sheally as the hotel took guests through their newly launched menu. Like most chefs we are not surprised to learn that he picked up on it as a child and still counts his mom's homemade meals as his favourite dishes.
When did your relationship with food begin?
My relationship with food started at a really young age. I would help my mother in the kitchen, must say that I don't have the recipes but I plan on doing my homework when I travel back to India for holiday.
What do you love most about your job?
With over 22 years experience in the culinary arts, I | enjoy the thrill of launching several new restaurants and cuisine concepts that have been featured extensively in leading dailies and lifestyle magazines, I have also written Chef's columns and hosted culinary shows on television. Also serving numerous celebrities like Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Sir Richard Branson, Sir Elton John to name a few has been an honour.
What would you rather not deal with at work?
Formality. I prefer to not comply to all the required etiquettes at work.
What is your favourite food destination?
South East Asia. Southeast Asia is home to an incredibly rich food history. This is one place that I feel has cuisines that embrace enough flavour to satisfy any palate.
What do you love to cook at home?
I cook everything! From breakfast dishes, casseroles to making salads.
Do you prefer wines, brandies or whiskeys?
I appreciate all three. I represented Kenya as an observer (with EABL) at the World Class Global Finals (Bar Tending Championship), Mediterranean Cruise and also got recognised as a wine connoisseur in the region. I also attended the Nederburg Annual Wine Auction in Cape Town and extensively toured the wine lands in South Africa to appreciate the art of wine making and tasting.
Do you eat out? What is your favourite restaurant? Why?
I do. We live around Lavington Mall so we have access to many restaurants. But mostly, I let my family pick a restaurant. I don't have a favourite restaurant.
What meal/cuisine are you yet to try?
Swedish and Nordic cuisine.
What is the one meal you haven't been able to perfect as yet?
My mother's food. She makes the most flavourful traditional foods. I am still working on perfecting a few of her recipes.
Grilling or roasting? Why? (From a preparation perspective)
Grilling. I feel it's more vibrant, you can taste all the flavours when you grill.
What is your favourite meal time? Why?
Late dinner. Dinner is social, conversational, and time spent together over filling food, to be enjoyed as the conclusion of another busy day.
SOURCE :Couture Africa
Category: Sarova Hotels
Author: admin
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