GRANDMA'S GOODNESS
"I grew up in Italy in a large family with ten members. I used to like food right from my childhood. My grandmother is my inspiration. She helped me grow my passion" says 27 year old Italian Chef Alessandro Breddo. He is popularly known as Chef Alex. Presently, he runs ‘Prego- the Italian restaurant at The Westin Gurgaon, New Delhi.
Widely travelled Chef Alex, who has already visited a dozen countries at this young age, is excited while speaking on Indian food. "I like Indian food. In every dish, there is a wow effect. A simple potato is elevated to great heights by adding exotic ingredients".
Chef Alex continued: "On my weekly off days, I will go to Delhi – especially Old Delhi, just to feel the tradition and flavour of India".
"In India, Italian food is the most preferred cuisine in five star hotels. At Prego, we alter the taste as per the requests of our guests, while maintaining the authenticity of Italian cuisine. We get mostly Indian guests, followed by Japanese and then from the rest of the world" informed Chef Alex who joined Westin Gurgaon earlier this year - in the month of August 2015.
After passing out from a culinary school in Italy Alex started his career in a busy restaurant in Italy that served 300 guests every day. His next stop was a restaurant in Austria followed by a catering company in Italy, where he spent five months. He then flew to Dubai to join the Crowne Plaza Hotel as their Italian Sous Chef till Feb 2014; then moved to Russia for three months as a consultant in Holiday Inn Samara. Just before joining Westin Gurgaon he was the Italian Chef de Cuisine in a restaurant in Italy.
Music and biking are his hobbies. He has a Ducati 749 back home. His family is in Italy. Mom is working in a bank; father is a retired Interior Designer. His Grandma, 87 years old is still very active even today. His uncle, who owns a farm, also lives with his family. Alex has a younger sister Sylvia is working in England as an Asst.Manager F&B in a restaurant.
This is my second interaction with Chef Alex. What I found most appealing in him is his ability to connect with the guests. I have myself observed him approaching each and every table during my visit to Prego last month.
Says Udai Rawat, the Senior Steward at Prego: "Chef Alex is very friendly. He is very knowledgeable and at the same time has the big heart to teach others.
Text and Pictures: R Kesava Mallia in Gurgaon.
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