WESTIN TASTE MASTERS....1

 FROM KUNG FU TO KITCHEN

  

                                         

Kung fu is his passion. His dream was to become a Kung Fu master. For this, the Fukushima born Hiroyuki Hashimoto left Japan to earn money in Mexico, as Japanese Restaurants were doing roaring business there back then. This is around 30 years back. But God's plans were different. Today, Hashimoto is a renowned Japanese Chef at Westin Gurgaon New Delhi, the flagship hotel of Starwood Group in India.

Starting his career in Mexico, as a dishwasher when he was just 19; he went back to Japan when he was 22; was part of the opening team of KIKOMANG Restaurant in Vienna, Austria as CDP, became Junior Sous Chef at 27 at Vienna in Grand Hotel (the five star hotel where Adolf Hitler was a regular guest !); worked as Assistant Japanese Chef in a restaurant in Guam Island, near Philippines; came to Hong Kong to take charge as the Japanese Chef in NISHIMURA Restaurant. He was 31 then.

He has worked in Vietnam (Omni Hotel) Manila in Philippines and Indonesia (both countries with Shangri La hotels). He then returned to Tokyo to up skill and upgrade his skills in Japanese cuisine.

His new avatar in India was again with Shangri La hotel in New Delhi; after working there for five years, he joined the Leela Kempinski in Gurgaon. For the last nine months, he is with Westin Gurgaon New Delhi.

This maverick Chef is a multi talented person. Other than cooking, he is equally good in Kung fu and boxing; has been a swimming champion in his school days; he is also an expert in Japanese flower arrangements and also in Japanese calligraphy.

He can speak in Hindi fluently; thanks to his Hindi teacher Pradeep; now he is learning Urdu. Other than English, he can speak German, Spanish, Indonesian, Philippines, Vietnamese and Chinese languages.

When asked why there are very less vegetarian choices in Japanese cuisine, Chef Hashimoto replied: Japanese do not know anything about vegetarianism.

49 year old Hashimoto is a bachelor. Presently, he is wedded to the kitchen in the EEST, the celebrated Pan Asian Restaurant at Westin Gurgaon New Delhi.

His dream to become a Kung fu master may not have translated into reality..... But I know one thing: he is very successful in dazzling and delighting the Westin guests for the last nine months....Chef Hashimoto is rocking!!!!

TEXT AND PICTURES: R KESAVA MALLIA IN GURGAON