The two head chefs onboard charter yacht KISMET reveal their culinary secrets and favourite gourmand hotspots.
Sam Molyneux
What is your signature style of cooking? Flavour-led cooking, blending traditional and modern techniques. Taking inspiration from my travels around the world, I love elevating classical French fine dining with Southeast Asian ingredients and modern, elegant plating.
Which chefs, past and present, inspire you? Jeremy Chan from Ikoyi in London, his use of global ingredients and flavour combinations is truly inspiring, and he is forging his own unique style of cuisine. We share a passion for flavour-led dishes and he introduced me to some ingredients and flavours for the first time at Ikoyi.
Where do you go to eat in your time off? My all-time favourite restaurant in the south of France is Kashiwa. A closely guarded secret amongst those who know, Kashiwa is hidden up in the hills of Le Cannet, above Cannes. With a waitlist booked up months in advance, Sushi Master Takasaki Katsutoshi delivers authentic, traditional Japanese cuisine and is truly a master of his craft.
Where would you like to eat? As someone who loves Thai cuisine, I have visited many of Bangkok’s best restaurants, but I’ve never been able to secure a reservation at Sorn. With its third Michelin star,
I imagine getting a table will only be more challenging!
Chris Rowley
What is your signature style of cooking? Classic trained, ingredient-led cookery sourcing the very best produce and letting it shine. Strong Asian influences with a passion for spice.
Which chefs, past and present, inspire you? Phil Howard previously at The Square restaurant where I trained and currently patron of Elystan Street. As a culinary titan of the London food scene, his repertoire of dishes is faultless. His food shows real elegance and elevates each ingredient to its full potential.
Where do you go to eat in your time off? Cooking over coals seems a real trend at the moment and the best places doing this are Smokstak, Oma and Temper. If you’re looking for somewhere for a special occasion, Ikoyi is cooking some of the best food in London with unique techniques and wonderful ingredients. Enclune in England’s Lake District served the best meal experience I have ever had. The service is outstanding and a meal is paired with interesting produce and knock-out wines.
Where would you like to eat? Kitchen Table, with the chef James Knappett at the helm, looks like a place cooking an inspiring menu with great reports. De Terra in Shoreditch, London is another place I want to try. The chef is Brazilian and it’s the only fine-dining restaurant in London with this unique style of cuisine.