Herwig Knapen
Herwig Knapen, Executive Chef, The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa shares some of his food and beverage pairings and what’s coming up for the resort for the rest of the year.
What do you do and how did you get into the industry?
I am the Executive Chef, The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa. I started working in a small pastry shop for my internship, and I fell in love with the industry. I was a pastry chef before I became an executive chef.
Share with us an interesting story from behind the scenes.
Every day is interesting. The most memorable story was the one when I was in Dubai. I had to prepare a buffet for more than 1000 pax every day during the Ramadan period.
What’s a food memory from your childhood or travels that stands out?
Cooking with my mom, and having Sunday lunch weekly with my family.
What’s the best/ worst part of your job?
I love what I am doing, this is the best part. While seeing people not having an appreciation for food is the worst part.
What’s your favourite food and beverage pairing?
Nice cheese with a nice glass of wine.
What’s one of the craziest things you’ve seen behind the scenes?
When I was the executive pastry chef for hotel Hanoi Vietnam, my kitchen was all set with all kinds of pastry and dessert, and the team was ready for the opening. But all of sudden the sprinkler went off just a day before the opening, and we had to start the preparation all over again.
The perfect day off would be…
… breakfast with my wife in the morning, and a nice dinner at any nice restaurant in the evening.
A day in the life of a Herwig Knapen is…
… a day of hard work, sharing with the guest and telling the food was great.
What do you do for fun?
I enjoy spending time with my wife, cycling or sunbathing and swimming.
What’s something you’d like guests to know about The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa?
The food is good food, the lush gardens and pools are nice, and the beach is stunning at sunset.
What’s something you’d like people to know about being a chef as a profession?
You have to be passionate and love what you are doing. Guest contact matters.
What’s your view on the food scene in Langkawi?
It always different on what we can get and what is in season. I would love to see more speciality restaurants in Langkawi.
What’s in store for you in the upcoming months?
The holiday season is coming and we will be readying for that. We hope to have another wine dinner too.
Find more interviews similar to this one with Herwig Knapen here. And, stay up to date with the latest food and beverage happenings in KL here.
I love his childhood memory, same here, fond memories of days with my mum too.
His version of perfect day isn’t any different from mine. 😀