Kempinski Palm Jumeirah appoints culinary director

Kempinski Hotel and Residences Palm Jumeirah has appointed Deff Haupt as culinary director.

Since the beginning of January, Haupt has been overseeing the culinary creations at the Kempinski property on Palm Jumeirah.

He joins from Sofitel at the Corniche, where he was part of the pre-opening team since 2011.

In his new role, he will introduce new menus, food tasting events, and cooking classes starting in February.

Haupt started his career in Germany in 1983. In the late 80s he worked alongside renowned three-star Michelin chefs in France including Paul Bocuse, Joel Robuchon and Emile Jung.

After his time in France, he spent five years in Sao Paulo, first working at the prestigious restaurant Cantaloup, acclaimed as the best restaurant in Brazil, and then at Leopoldo, in Sao Paulo.

During that time, he trained the Brazilian team for the  Paul Bocuse d’Or culinary award. He also created the First Class and Business Class menus for Varig Airlines.

Haupt returned to Germany in 1999 and opened as executive chef and partner the restaurant Theodor Tucher in Berlin, where he had the pleasure of serving politicians such as George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, diplomats such as Henry Kissinger, and other international celebrities.

In 2005 he followed his dream and immigrated to Canada/Quebec, where he started as executive chef at the Sofitel in Montreal and its Restaurant Renoir.