Exclusive Interview | Manish Khot, Executive Chef, BLU Oasis Hotel & Resort, Dubai - UAE
/“What according to you does it take to become a successful chef?
Follow the 3 D’s That is -Determination, Dedication, and Devotion, these D’s will help you achieve your goals. Also never give up at any time, nothing is impossible. ”
How did it all start? Share your culinary journey with us
It started in 1999 when I was fascinated with vegetable carvings which my mom's friend's husband used to do on cruise liners, as he was a chef on a cruise and as I was good at drawing, my mother told me that you can use your skills in this field and explore the world and as a chef. I never got a chance to go on a cruise ship but within 6 months I was working as an apprentice at Taj President Mumbai in Garde manger where I used to do fruit and vegetable carvings.
It was not soon after 4 years while I was still working in Taj, I got a call from the Jumeirah International HR team who was in Mumbai to recruit culinary staff for Burj Al Arab, I passed 3 rounds of interviews there in 2 days, 1 months time I was in Dubai working as Chef in Burj Al Arab in 2003 and rest is history. My career path includes working with noted companies like Emirates Airlines, Marriott, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, and of course the 7-star luxurious Hotel Burj Al Arab.
What are your earliest memories of the kitchens you worked in?
I entered the kitchen in 1999 at the age of 20, Working in kitchens in India is always different, and working in Dubai or any hotel internationally is a whole new working experience. I am talking about 1999 when there was no social media to learn anything. I was working in a Kitchen where chefs never shared their secret recipes and no recipes to see or read, but still, I managed to gain knowledge and learn from the experts.
A dish that you love but do not have on your menu.
I loved my late grandmother's green fish curry made with Bombay duck fish, I cannot put it on my menu as the concept of my restaurant does not allow me to accommodate it.
What according to you does it take to become a successful chef?
Follow the 3 D's That is -Determination, Dedication, and Devotion, these D's will help you achieve your goals. Also never give up at any time, nothing is impossible.
What advice would you give to a young culinary student?
Never lose focus, make sure you make a small-term goal annually that you want to achieve and a long-term goal that you want to be in 5 years or 10 years. The kitchen is tougher, they need to be ready to sacrifice their social life, they need to be ready for long hours standing in the kitchen working, and also be ready to have burns, bruises, cuts, and small injuries that can be caused while working in the kitchen. Learn from the best chefs and be the best chef.
