Vancouver is home to some of the best chefs in the world, many have worked for the top chefs and restaurants around the world as well as around the city. Dishing with the Chefs is a series of Interviews with some of the top chefs in and around Vancouver.
Chef Chris Savino
Chris began his culinary career when he enrolled in the Culinary Arts program at Vancouver Community College in 2000. After completing the one year program in 2001 he spent a summer in Arizona working, then returned to Vancouver and worked at the Plaza 500 Hotel for 4 years. At the same time, he worked in the kitchen for 1 year at the Boathouse. He then moved on to The Westin Grand starting off as a 2nd cook for both Aria and Hidden restaurants; he was promoted to first cook, chef de partie and eventually to sous chef. He then moved on to The Riverway Clubhouse in Burnaby as head chef for one year. A position then opened up back at the Westin Grand for Executive Chef which he applied for and returned to take on the position of where he remains today running the hotel’s food services as well as Hendricks Restaurant, he has held this position for the past 5 years.
You can follow Chef Chris Savino on Instagram @chef_savino
I understand your Uncle and Grandfather were both professional chefs, how did they both influence your career?
- I have the creative juices which are always flowing.
- My Grandfather was a chef on tugboats he made a lot of staff meals which influenced me.
- My Uncle always talked to me about chef life and leaned me toward the industry.
Overall how did your work in hotels over the years affect you?
I have come a long way in the industry, when I started off I was quite shy and reserved. But over the years I have developed the confidence and skills from working with a bunch of great chefs along the way.
Plating dishes has totally changed since I began my career. Starting off you had the urgency to just get everything on the plate, now it is how you place the various components of a dish, how the flavors go together and textures.
Previously it was oily and fatty; recently it’s been moving towards clean eating and meal prep where less is more. Now it is about creating healthy, staples and fun flavours.
What is it you like about the playfulness when it comes to your menu and dishes?
I like to surprise guests palate. Take traditional dishes and add a playful twist.
Do you have to follow the Westin standards in your cooking?
We have to offer the popular fare such as club sandwiches, burgers and other staples that people expect especially the travellers. The breakfast buffet has to have a certain amount of super food items on it to stay on brand. Other than a few minor things I can pretty much do what I want to the menu.
1st dish:
Paneer Poppers
Paneer Poppers
Paneer cheese
Cumin
Coriander
Chili powder
Oil
Sambal olek
Rice flour
Corn starch
Mango chutney
Inspiration:
My inspiration for this dish comes from an old childhood favorite of mine “popcorn chicken” with most people worried about eating fried chicken these days i wanted a healthier way so i used Paneer cheese and treated it like fried chicken. I know its not healthy but it is a healthier option than traditions fried chicken.
I understand you have internal competitions at your hotel. Tell our readers what that involves.
The Director of food and beverage and I judge the creations that our team members create, judging each dish for flavour, presentation, style and budget. In one of the recent competitions the winner got their dish added to our menu and they won a set of knives.
What are your favourite ingredients to cook with?
- All Indian spices
- Sumac
- Cheeses
- Pork belly
What are your Favourite restaurants outside of where you work?
Jinya Ramen
Cuchillo
Tasty Indian Bistro
Love for Pho
Hawkers Delight
What are you’re your interests outside of work?
Jujitsu
Mauy Thai
Strength training
Snowboarding
2nd dish:
Halloumi
Halloumi
Halloumi cheese
Beer batter
Raisin
Cinnamon
Coriander
Roasted veggie pave
Inspiration:
My inspiration for this dish come from a dinner party my director of F&B hosted, They served a pan seared halloumi with Mediterranean veggies and baba ghanoush. While i was eating it i was thinking this would be great deep fried from there I starting tinkering with different frying methods and treating it like fish and chips was a clear winner.
Do you cook at Home?
Yes, at home I cook more for meal prep for me and my wife, next is making baby food.
What are your Guilty Pleasures at home?
Mac & Cheese
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Ribs
What is your drink of choice?
Beer
What dish on your menu at Hendricks pairs with a beer?
Paneer Poppers
3rd dish:
Wild Line Caught Salmon
Wild Line Caught Salmon
Salmon
Lemon infused potato purée
seasonal vegetables
feta cheese
crème fraiche
Inspiration:
Late summer, early fall is where the inspiration for this dish comes from. heavier items for the fall so I used a lemon potato puree & the sockeye screams late summer then we added lemon fluid gel and feta cheese creme fraiche.
What are your Top Sellers in Hendricks restaurant?
Naughty Bits
Ginger Beer Braised Shortrib
Burger
Stay tuned for the next chef in the Dishing with the Chef series.
By: Richard Wolak