Xpat Interview: James C McClure
- 26 Feb 2007 11:00 AM
In 1995, I left the Hawaiian Islands to Jakarta, Indonesia to do some consulting work for a food and beverage operation there.
Opened a total of 17 restaurants and 2 nightclubs In '97 through 1999,
I was sent over to Singapore as the country (Jakarta) was in an uprising when President Suharto was about to be denounced as the leader of Indonesia, fortunately I left the country about two weeks before the riots incurred and transfered to Singapore to set up the new office.
5 years ago I was approached by a good friends sister to come to Budapest to help start and set up an Asian restaurant here which was called Opium, located on Kiraly Utca.
From there, I was referred to the owners of Goa just opposite of the restaurant to discuss the plans for them to open their restaurant on Andrassy. we opened it, got lots of praise and good comments and since then, I have started a small catering business which has been doing quite well, as we are the first to offer, in home private chef service here in Bp.
1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
I arrived here on September 12, 2002 from Singapore. The original plan was to be here for 6 weeks to set up and consult for the first Asian Fusion restaurant in Budapest (Opium Aszia Bistro on Kiraly utca). I had no plans to stay here. I did my contract and when it was about to be completed, I was asked to stay on as executive chef for a further year. Unfortunately the restaurant did not hold its ground on Kiraly. In my own opinion, it was too ahead of its time for that neighborhood.
With a great reference from the owner, I was introduced to the owners of GOA just across the street and they were in the development stage of opening their restaurant on Andrassy. I have been here ever since. Have been a chef for the last 21 years and have worked in California, Hawaii, Indonesia, Singapore and now Budapest.
It's been an amazing experience to work in and with different cultures and food styles. Latest project has been a personal chef service and catering business that has been growing and am looking to develop this further.
2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
Indonesia, Singapore and the Hawaiian Islands for 13 years (I know, it is still US territory but it feels a 1000 miles from nowhere)
3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
I think for the most part it was the difference in European culture which is so different from Asia where I have spent the last 11 years
4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend- what must they absolutely see and do?
Spring and summer, hop on a bike and go for a ride along the Duna. from here to Szentandre, it's a good ride if you have the legs, stop at the lupa sziget for a dip in the lake.
September go pick some grapes during harvest and enjoy the festivities. And in the dead of winter, find a small vendegl? and have a big bowl of gulyas.
5. What is your favorite Hungarian food?
Anything with libamáj as it is probably the best on the planet, stuffed cabbage is another and Hekk, even though coming from Hawaii which has some of the best fish and seafood in the world, I still enjoy this simple over fried lake fish with a cold beer.
6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Fresh chili, green or red got to have it!
7. What is your favorite Hungarian word?
"*^"$%meg, but I don't think that is allowed here
8. What do you miss the most from home?
Hard to say since I have not been back to California since 1983 but probably real Mexican food and California sunshine.
9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
None!! I have never been happier than turning people on to good food.
10. What's a job you would definitely never want?
Taxidermist?
11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
India
12. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
China
13 What was your favorite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
Pink Floyd and Aerosmith. Hobby- Surfing and Skateboarding in Venice, California
14. What can't you resist?
My Partner Grace
15. Red wine or white?
Winter Red, Summer White
16. Book or movie?
Book
17. Morning person or night person?
100% Nocturnal
18. Dog person or cat person?
Cat, Mine is an evil pussy from Singapore
19. Buda side or Pest side?
Pest
20. What would you say is your personal motto?
Work hard, play harder!!!
I was sent over to Singapore as the country (Jakarta) was in an uprising when President Suharto was about to be denounced as the leader of Indonesia, fortunately I left the country about two weeks before the riots incurred and transfered to Singapore to set up the new office.
5 years ago I was approached by a good friends sister to come to Budapest to help start and set up an Asian restaurant here which was called Opium, located on Kiraly Utca.
From there, I was referred to the owners of Goa just opposite of the restaurant to discuss the plans for them to open their restaurant on Andrassy. we opened it, got lots of praise and good comments and since then, I have started a small catering business which has been doing quite well, as we are the first to offer, in home private chef service here in Bp.
1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
I arrived here on September 12, 2002 from Singapore. The original plan was to be here for 6 weeks to set up and consult for the first Asian Fusion restaurant in Budapest (Opium Aszia Bistro on Kiraly utca). I had no plans to stay here. I did my contract and when it was about to be completed, I was asked to stay on as executive chef for a further year. Unfortunately the restaurant did not hold its ground on Kiraly. In my own opinion, it was too ahead of its time for that neighborhood.
With a great reference from the owner, I was introduced to the owners of GOA just across the street and they were in the development stage of opening their restaurant on Andrassy. I have been here ever since. Have been a chef for the last 21 years and have worked in California, Hawaii, Indonesia, Singapore and now Budapest.
It's been an amazing experience to work in and with different cultures and food styles. Latest project has been a personal chef service and catering business that has been growing and am looking to develop this further.
2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
Indonesia, Singapore and the Hawaiian Islands for 13 years (I know, it is still US territory but it feels a 1000 miles from nowhere)
3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
I think for the most part it was the difference in European culture which is so different from Asia where I have spent the last 11 years
4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend- what must they absolutely see and do?
Spring and summer, hop on a bike and go for a ride along the Duna. from here to Szentandre, it's a good ride if you have the legs, stop at the lupa sziget for a dip in the lake.
September go pick some grapes during harvest and enjoy the festivities. And in the dead of winter, find a small vendegl? and have a big bowl of gulyas.
5. What is your favorite Hungarian food?
Anything with libamáj as it is probably the best on the planet, stuffed cabbage is another and Hekk, even though coming from Hawaii which has some of the best fish and seafood in the world, I still enjoy this simple over fried lake fish with a cold beer.
6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Fresh chili, green or red got to have it!
7. What is your favorite Hungarian word?
"*^"$%meg, but I don't think that is allowed here
8. What do you miss the most from home?
Hard to say since I have not been back to California since 1983 but probably real Mexican food and California sunshine.
9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
None!! I have never been happier than turning people on to good food.
10. What's a job you would definitely never want?
Taxidermist?
11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
India
12. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
China
13 What was your favorite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
Pink Floyd and Aerosmith. Hobby- Surfing and Skateboarding in Venice, California
14. What can't you resist?
My Partner Grace
15. Red wine or white?
Winter Red, Summer White
16. Book or movie?
Book
17. Morning person or night person?
100% Nocturnal
18. Dog person or cat person?
Cat, Mine is an evil pussy from Singapore
19. Buda side or Pest side?
Pest
20. What would you say is your personal motto?
Work hard, play harder!!!