Listen "Season 6 - Episode 4 - Anand Kumar - The Accidental Chef !"
Episode Synopsis
Send us a textIn this episode of the Chef JKP podcast, host James Knight Paccheco interviews Anand Kumar, the executive chef of the Melia Desert Palm Resort in Dubai. Anand shares his journey from wanting to be a pilot to accidentally falling into the culinary world. He discusses the challenges of managing Indian weddings, the importance of pre-openings in the hotel industry, and his decision to work in Dubai's gastronomic landscape. Anand also talks about his focus on sustainability, farm-to-table concepts, and his aspirations for the future of dining in the region.Topics discussed:Anand Kumar's journey from wanting to be a pilot to becoming an executive chefChallenges of managing Indian weddings and hotel pre-openingsFocus on sustainability, locally sourced ingredients, and farm-to-table conceptsAspirations for the future of dining in the regionAdvice for young chefs in the industryFunniest kitchen incident involving a mix-up with brown butter and creamAnand's culinary heroes and favourite cuisinesReflections on his career and advice for his younger selfKey takeaways:Anand emphasises the importance of focusing on talent and skills rather than chasing fame or money in the culinary industry.He highlights the significance of following one's dreams and staying focused on achieving success.Anand's dedication to sustainability, sourcing locally, and creating delicious, authentic dishes for guests.The episode provides insights into Anand's career journey, challenges faced, and his passion for elevating dining experiences in the region.You can follow Anand on HERE This show is bought to you by Chef Middle East, you can follow them on HERE Support the showFollow The Chef JKP Podcast on Instagram HERE
More episodes of the podcast The Chef JKP Podcast
Season 11 - Episode 10 - How Two Engineers Built Dubai’s Favourite Meat Brand | Dan & Fix
20/11/2025
Season 11 - Episode 9 - What No One Tells You About Building a Restaurant in Dubai | Akmal Anuar
13/11/2025
Season 11 - Episode 6 - How a Family Business Became a Global Cookbook | Joan Tuaño Rumsey
23/10/2025
Season 11 - Episode 3 - Does Dubai Really Need Another Fine Dining Restaurant | Solemann Haddad
01/10/2025
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.