FROM THE WESTIN GURGAON,NEW DELHI

LEARN FROM THE GUEST; OWN THE GUEST

Can I have a salad?

The guest beckoned Chef Arun Avasthi.

                                        

Chef Arun was a little skeptical when the guest requested him to make a salad as the guest wants.

Fresh Fennel. Aragula Lettuce. Burnt goat cheese with orange dressing. This is what the guest wanted.

"The salad has been amazing. Fennel has an aroma; Lettuce is bit bitter and bit spicy, goat cheese is salty and orange is sweet. All put together it has been a great combination”.

Chef Arun Pratap Avasthi (34), Sous Chef in The Westin Gurgaon, New Delhi, who specializes in Western Cuisine, has been sharing his experiences with the guests whereby he could learn from the ideas bounced by guests, that too on cuisine. Chef Arun was ready to learn.

·         Yet another guest requested for waffle with maple syrup and honey. He also suggested that berry compote (sour and sweet) is a nice accompaniment with waffle.

·         The Italian guest taught him the authentic way, the classic preparation of pasta, in other words how they make pastas in Italian homes. Spaghetti carbonara is generally whipped up with egg, bacon, cheese and cream.  For more calories, the workers used to consume this in greater quantities. The guest suggested to use Penchatta instead of bacon; cream to be avoided. Mix Penchatta with the pasta and egg and make it like a scrambled egg and cheese to be added.

·         An Indian lady guest requested for an unusual combination- sweet waffle with poached eggs. Another idea: waffle without sugar with potato pancake plus poached eggs.

      "A chef should be ready to learn from the guests also.   One should not say that the guest is so fussy. He is very particular to have what he or she likes. Nothing wrong in it. Take the feedback very positively. Check with the guest whether the food is as per his likings, if not improvise it next time. Mere satisfaction is not enough. A Chef should dazzle and delight the guest. Nothing less than a wow. Every time" says Chef Arun.

                   

    Married to Khushboo, a homemaker. Blessed with a son, Aryan aged four years. Chef Arun has been with Westin since Oct 2012. First with Sohna  Resort & Spa; since April this year he is in Westin Gurgaon, New Delhi.

TEXT & PICS BY: R KESAVA MALLIA in Gurgaon