Exclusive Interview | Gautam Mehrishi Executive Chef Marriott International
/“It takes passion and self-belief which inspire you every moment to be a great chef and be connected to roots and the skills that one has developed during the journey”
Editor: How did it all start? Share your culinary journey with us
My culinary journey started at a very early age with an introduction to fire in my grandmother's kitchen where she introduced me to the importance of fire in cooking. I was in charge of arranging all types of fire including wood, bio, cow dung cakes, and gas. then slowly came in the spices and then the final cooking part on the various types of stoves and solar cooking too in the sun. introduction to pickles and bread came a little later.
In fact, my first butchery lesson was at my paternal Grandfather's poultry farm with the most handsome-looking bird. By the time I reached in teens, food was already a passion, and then came the entry into a Hotel School where I actually learned what the industry was all about. First-ever commercial kitchen I entered was the at The Taj Mahal Hotel, Mumbai and the rest is history with my passion for the white coat grew stronger every day. The kitchens of The Taj Mahal Hotel, Mumbai still hold a divine pace attached very closely to my soul, it not only inspires me today but I also am grateful to each and every chef who mentored me and taught me all the relevant skills and majorly the importance of being hands-on even in your dreams.
After Taj, it was spread over career paths with national and international chains of hotels, bakeries, cafes, choclateria, central kitchens, food courts, cruise liners, and flight kitchens within India and around the world.
Editor: What are your earliest memories of the kitchens you worked in
My earliest memory is with the Garde Manger Kitchen of The Taj Mahal Hotel, Mumbai where I learned that the world talks about slow cooking but cold food cooked with amazing patience and perfection is such a great skill to acquire and possess that it can transform a medium skilled chef into an artist for life. Though the skill of this beautiful French art is diminishing and being taken over by the modern influx but these intricate skills are still transformational and defining.
The second memory is on the vessel M/S Seabourn kitchen where I worked with many nationalities and still was above the competition, showing my exemplary skills to be recognized on global platforms.
Editor: A dish your patrons/guests love
Although I love to cook something new and innovative whenever an opportunity arises making a " WELLINGTON" is always loved by the people I cook for.
Editor: A dish that you love but do not have on your menu
Pit Cooking and food are covered with various soils.
Editor: What according to you does it take to become a successful chef?
It takes passion and self-belief which inspires you every moment to be a great chef, being connected to roots and the skills that one has developed during the journey and gratitude towards people who have taught you on the way, towards all the opportunities, the ingredients and platforms of challenges is a must too.
Editor: What advice would you give to a young culinary student?
Be attached to your roots, understand soils, seasons, reactions of ingredients to various temperatures, understand structures of food which can be as simple as salt, follow your passion every moment and the desire to learn always, accept challenges as opportunities, and be attached to literature and life experiences of successful chefs.
Editor: What instruments/ equipment/devices you cannot imagine working without?
My paring and carving knife, slide chopper and sharpening steel. ( all of these are now with e for the last 2 decades and in absolutely stunning condition.
Editor: Your favorite ingredient is…
My vision
Editor: Name chefs, you find amazing or chefs’ work you admire
Hemant Oberoi
Uwe Walter Lohage
Anton Mossiman
My work is admired by many and the admiration for my approach to food is mesmerizing for many.
Editor: What books should every chef read?
Reading books where chefs tell their life stories is always inspiring and if connected to a food destination it’s a double whammy. For knowledge reading the Culinaria series from France, Spain and many countries is apt.
Keeping a Larousse dictionary should always be handy for reference and learning the traditional and newer culinary words.
