Chef Florian Nigen
Florian Nigen, head chef at Chez Gaston Bangsar shares with The Yum List a little about the life of a chef and some of his upcoming projects.
What do you do and how did you get into the industry?
I am the chef and owner of Chez Gaston KL. I first entered the industry when I was little. My father has had a restaurant for over 30 years in Britany, France. I was pretty much born into the industry.
What’s the best/ worst part of your job?
Best: The best part for me is to be able to taste food all the time. I love food.
Worst: The worst would be the hot weather in a hot kitchen.
What’s your favourite meal at Chez Gaston?
The fish soup and the patès, which are my father’s recipes
The perfect day off…
would be a rainy day in a hammock under a porch with my phone off and a jug of iced peach tea.
A day in the life of a chef…
is starting with an early morning at the market to select the freshest products and finishing late with a well-deserved glass of wine.
What do you do for fun?
I love to go fishing. I find it relaxing. I also enjoy hanging out with friends for a nice and laid back dinner (that they obviously prepare).
What’s something you’d like guests to know about Chez Gaston?
In addition to offering reasonably priced French bistro food, we also provide great service and a good variety of great wines. Chez Gaston is a whole experience that you can enjoy with friends and family or as a couple as well.
What’s your favourite food and wine pairing?
I would say a well-chilled gewürztraminer, some Munster cheese at room temperature and few seeds of cumin.
What’s in store for you in the upcoming months?
We will soon be opening the non-smoking area of Chez Gaston. We’ll also begin serving breakfast in October. The opening of our terrace with a balcony twilight section and our French bistro game room (expect futsal table and flipper/pinball machine) are also coming up. And, of course, our Christmas and New Year celebrations with customized menus are all in the works too.
Check out some of Chef Florian’s dishes at Chez Gaston here.
Yes, it does get hot sometimes in the kitchen. No appetite to eat after cooking all day…
The worst part is sweating in the hot kitchen.
Rainy day in a hammock – it sounds really great! I need it now 🙂