Ever wonder what goes on in the kitchen of a top London hotel? We caught up with Head Chef, Gopi Chandran at Kingsway Hall Hotel to find out just what goes into planning food for a wedding.
How long have you been working at Kingsway Hall Hotel?
I started at Kingsway in April 2012
Have you always wanted to be a chef?
Yes from a very young age I was very intrigued by my grandma who used to create sumptuous meals from her farm in my native village. Now I understand what seasonality means.
You are cooking for brides and grooms, their family and friends every day. What do you love to cook for them?
My favorite dish from my menu would be:
Starter – Paupiette of Scottish smoked salmon with pumpernickel bread
Main course – Braised rump of Welsh lamb, creamy mashed potatoes and a rosemary scented jus,
Desserts- A rich chocolate marquise with cappuccino ice cream
So how many carrots need to be chopped for 200 guests? How do you work out how much food you need (We really want to know!)?
100 carrots, 50g per person… We always follow recipes, the recipes are created for 4 persons and we multiply accordingly.
Can you give us some examples of a wedding menu you might find at your hotel?
Starters
- Smoked salmon Paupiette – Citrus fruits, pumpernickel bread
- Pressing of ham hock & duck liver- piccalilli sauce, toasted walnut bread
- Goat’s cheese & pear terrine- Beetroot compote, lamb’s lettuce
Main Courses
- Roast fillet of cod-Pomme forestiere, capers, anchovies
- Gressingham duck breast-Sweet potato mash, bok choy, chilli jam
- Braised rump of Welsh lamb- Mashed potatoes, spinach, roast shallot, rosemary jus
Desserts
- Passion fruit mousse-Mango sorbet
- Lemon tart -Raspberry sorbet
- Chocolate marquise-Cappuccino ice cream
The day of a wedding must be busy and exciting in Kingsway Hall Hotel after months of planning with couples? How do you and your team in the Kitchen prepare?
We ensure the wedding breakfast is carefully planned and executed. It is one of the most important days in their lives. I plan one month in advance and do all the purchasing of ingredients 15 days prior. We prepare most of the items 3 days prior and finish off on the day of the wedding.
How do you relax in your spare time?
I spend every second of my spare time with my two beautiful children.
