Yes you can... Cook & Serve like a pro with Olaf Baumeister
The celebrity chef on regional ingredients, recipes to impress and on-trend drinks
“Even the easiest of dishes tastes good when made with love. Sounds soppy, but it's true – the best example is a simple but really good sandwich.”
Olaf Baumeister has been used to hotel life ever since he was born. After completing his apprenticeship at the two-star restaurant “Residence” in Essen, Germany, he took over his parents’ hotel and restaurant “Seegarten” and radically rebuilt it so that it now includes a beach bar. Villeroy & Boch asked him about his favourite ingredient, his funniest cooking mishaps and his role models.
My inspiration for cooking:
“Browsing for products at markets, a walk in the woods or great fresh ingredients from regional farmers.”
Two menus with culinary tales
This menu for four people will surprise your guests and your own taste buds!
Look forward to:
hot smoked BBQ salmon from a home-made smoker oven, ceviche with salmon, topsy-turvy roasted fillet of beef, chimichurri, Baileys gin cream on dry ice.
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“Charred” salmon trout with wild mushroom strudel, king prawns with cinnamon rind, saddle of venison with blackberries and Gin & Tonic and to round it off apple crumble with condensed milk cream and chestnuts.
10 questions on inspiration, comfort food and convenience products
1. Who are your role models for cooking and in life?
My father could whip up super delicious food with simple products. He was completely self-taught and also my inspiration as he significantly influenced my life and work.
2. What was your funniest mishap in the kitchen?
(Laughs) There are so many, but there is no way that I’m going to tell you here.
3. Who tries your new creations first?
My kitchen team. They are by far the most critical people I know. I value their opinion greatly.
4. You must have a special place where you would you like to cook?
Everywhere in the world.
5. Which country has the best food?
I can’t and won’t tie myself down – every country has its advantages and charms.
6. Which food do you not like at all?
Convenience products as they’re simply unnecessary and unhealthy. You can make anything that comes ready-made out of a bag just as quickly yourself with a little creativity and common sense.
7. As a chef and gourmet, you probably give home-made food as gifts. What’s your tip?
When I really like someone, I’ll give them home-made truffles. It’s obviously a lot of hard work, but the result is definitely a gift from the heart.
8. What is your comfort food?
I love sushi.
9. What is your favourite poptail and what should be in it?
Definitely the London Mule – with Woodland Gin, naturally.
10. What is the first and last thing you do in the kitchen?
You probably think it’s more exciting than it really is: light on in the morning and off again in the evening.
Perfectly mixed drinks with unusual ingredients are a must for any “Cook and Serve like a pro” invitation. Olaf Baumeister has put together the recipes of his current favourite drinks.
Could you join in the conversation in a professional kitchen? We have compiled a short glossary of culinary terms that will surprise and impress – from entremetier to spider steak.