Talk to the commis chefs
Amith Niroshan Fernando, chef de partie, Kempinski Hotel Ajman
What is your favourite instrument to use in the kitchen?
Firstly I would say my hands, because that is the primary equipment in the kitchen. Without your hands, you are not able to do anything else.
What do you love most about working in a kitchen?
I am a big fan of experimenting with new food items and I love to try plating with innovative ideas. I am a very visual and creative person, and I also love to create buffet setups for theme-night dinners, try new decorations for outdoor and indoor concepts, and to be creative and think out-of-the-box.
Also, the atmosphere in the kitchen is important — the passion, energy and love that reflected in each and every colleague.
Elisha Kim Jacobs, commis chef, Intercontinental Dubai Marina for YNOT and Accents
What is your favourite instrument to use in the kitchen?
It might sound like a cliché, but by far the most important instrument for me is my chef’s knife. I find that because it is used so frequently, its value is easily overlooked. I take for granted the importance of my knife when it is not at arm’s length. Without a decent, sharp and comfortable knife, even the most basic of tasks would be a struggle.
What do you love most about working in a kitchen?
I love the rush of working in an intense competitive environment. I get fired up when I manage to complete tasks that seem impossible, and I feel amazing when I am done. When working as a chef, there is always more that you can learn and you will never know everything. You will always learn something new to do with ingredients and cooking style, which keeps me on my toes.
Having the courage to explore, experiment and introduce new culinary ideas to the world is what makes everything worth it. You have to love what you are doing to make a success of it.
Lakmal Viraj, commis chef, Radisson Blu Dubai Deira Creek
What is your favourite instrument to use in the kitchen?
My favorite instruments are the teppanyaki fork and the spatula. It might not sound exciting, but these two instruments are important and they help make a great show for the complete experience.
What do you love most about working in a kitchen?
I love working in the kitchen as it is not only my job but also my passion. I enjoy interacting with guests while I prepare their food; their feedback makes me happy and makes me feel good about what I do. Apart from enjoying it, I also learn new things through interacting with guests.
Danushka Nalinda, demi chef de partie, Sofitel Dubai Jumeirah Beach
What is your favourite instrument to use in the kitchen?
My favourite instrument in the kitchen is, without a doubt, the set of knives we use on a daily basis. A good, professional grade knife is an unmissable piece of kit for any chef.
We have a variety of different knives in the kitchen, for example a paring knife is designed for vegetable carving and medium-sized chef knives are for general chopping and cubing of ingredients. The trusty bread-knife is also a useful companion when working with baked goods.
What do you love most about working in a kitchen?
There are so many reasons I love working in a kitchen. Firstly, pursuing food knowledge. I find food absolutely fascinating; how the slightest change in flavour, texture, and seasoning can be the difference between an average dish and an outstanding meal.
I really love interacting with customers as well. To share an example: recently, a guest noticed an unfamiliar exotic fruit on the breakfast buffet and was very curious about what it is and where it came from. I approached the guest at the table where he was sitting with his family and told them all about this Asian fruit, which is called a mangosteen.
They enjoyed the experience so much that I made sure there were mangosteens on their table waiting for them the next morning at breakfast.