lagniappe
What is something most people don ’ t know about you ? The intense energy that I get from learning something new , both in my professional and private life , is what drives me .
What is your favorite item to bring along when you travel ? A Nikon camera and lenses .
What is the best idea you have ever stolen ? Food photography is one of my passions , and I am very fortunate to regularly work with professional food photographers and stylists . The best trick I ’ ve learned from them is using a jeweler ’ s torch to brown the edges of a steak or melt chocolate chips in a cookie — for photography purposes only , of course .
Stefan Trepp
executive chef , Mandarin Oriental , BangkOk
Switzerland-born Stefan Trepp has worked for sophisticated culinary operations around the world and has helmed F & B operations at Mandarin Oriental , Bangkok since 2012 . Nevertheless , Trepp says he loves all food , from Michelin-star fine dining to the noodle bar on the street corner , and finds plenty of inspiration throughout Bangkok ’ s simple yet exotic culinary scene .
What is your pet peeve when you ’ re working in the kitchen ? When everything is not done with the utmost precision . Everything has to be perfect in my kitchen . I am Swiss , after all .
What is on your nightstand ? The final book of “ The Hunger Games ” series , “ Mockingjay .”
What is on your iPod right now ? Now and forever , “ Mad World ” by Gary Jules and “ Yellow Ledbetter ” by Pearl Jam .
What celebrity would you most like to meet ? [ Tennis star ] Roger Federer . I do not only celebrate his success in his game — I also admire his passion , talent and hard work .
Why are you a hotel chef ? I thrive in a workplace that is busy — even better if it is hectic and has many varied outlets , from intimate fine dining to a banquet for 1,000 guests and outside catering for another 500 guests thrown in for good measure . This is what being a hotel chef allows me to do , and this is where I can live out my ambition .
If you weren ’ t a chef , what would you be ? Probably jobless . I really have no idea , as I obsessed about becoming a chef from a young age .
Who do you admire most in your life ? My mom . I consider myself an all-rounder , and she instilled that in me . Raising three hyperactive boys could not have been an easy task , but she did so with love and care all while working full time , and she was always there for us . I am who I am because of her .
What would you want for your last supper ? A good ol ’ Swiss cheese fondue with a nice glass of white wine .
72 HOTELS May 2015 www . hotelsmag . com