Interview with Mr. Shantanu Sen, Business Manager, four star Pizza Restaurant, Bermuda (U.S.A)

An interview with Mr. Shantanu Sen, Business Manager of Four Star Pizza Restaurant in Bermuda (U.S.A) and cruise chef on board Caribbean Dancer

What are the attributes that make for an excellent chef?

A chef has to be dedicated to his art. He must love food, experimenting and cooking with it. He must have an aptitude and a desire to produce excellent food every time. Creativeness and an artistic flare is an additional asset in this profession.

Are speciality restaurants generally more popular than the ones serving mixed cuisines?

Speciality restaurants deal in specific cuisines and stick to conventional recipes. They are highly priced and provide top class service therefore limiting the clientele to the affluent. On the other hand mixed cuisine restaurants are not rigid in their recipes. There are more opportunities for the chefs to experiment with the recipes. They are also average check restaurants and therefore more affordable and popular.

What attributes does one need to set up ones own restaurant?

One must have self-confidence, enough finance, a thorough knowledge of the cuisines and the likes and dislikes of the clientele you intend catering to. By understanding these points a person is well on path to success. Hiring capable people in responsible positions and a detailed knowledge of all aspects of food and beverage that is production and service, is a definite plus point.

Does one need a degree in catering to become a master chef?

No! a degree is just an additional asset. Mastering the art by taking independent initiative is more important. An individual who has thrived in the profession by the virtue of skill, aptitude, practical experience, love for cooking and knowledge of the art will be definitely score above a person who has just the theoretical knowledge to depend upon. It is essentially an amalgamation of theory and practice. Not all master chefs are degree holders and all degree holders are not master chefs. What differentiates them is the love for the art.

Given the varied weather conditions during cruises, how do you plan the meals on a ship?

Weather conditions do not really affect the menu in the ship because it is already decided in advance. They are also based on the duration of the cruise and often have a theme attached to it. There could be a different cuisine everyday. Italian one day, Carribean the next. You have cruises that have fast foods in their menu that are called Casino Cruises.

Do men make better chefs?

I think I am a darned good chef and I am a man! I am pretty sure that this will be the answer of any man who is a chef. On the same token ask him whose cooking he likes the best. Most likely his answer will be -his mother. To a man there is no better cook than his mother. I learnt the basic's of cooking from my mother before I became a chef and I know for a fact that if she had joined the service industry she would become a master chef.

Therefore the answer is women make as good chefs as men and there are enough of them out there that are living testimonies to that fact. it is the egotistic nature of an average man that would not let him acknowledge that fact.

What advice do you have for prospective culinary artists?

If you don't love it don't do it! It takes a lot of determination to try out your skills and allow people to love it or hate it . So you have to give it your best. Love your profession and be prepared to show it.

How different is cooking on ship from land?

The main difference is that on land you have a choice of the type of cuisine you want to try and hence the availability of options. On a ship you really have no options. The menu is set and the only option you have is what you want from that. On ship the food has to be ready for the sittings on time. On land it is not so. You go to a restaurant you have time to choose and then sometimes wait. At both places cleanliness and hygiene are of paramount importance. And, yes, onboard ship the kitchen floor tends to move. This does not happen on land!

PRATIBHA GADHALAY

(pratibha.hyd@careercommunity.co.in)