Xpat Interview: Andreas Mensch, Former Executive Chef, Sofitel Budapest Chain Bridge & Paris Budapest Restaurant.

  • 24 May 2011 12:00 PM
Xpat Interview: Andreas Mensch, Former Executive Chef, Sofitel Budapest Chain Bridge & Paris Budapest Restaurant.
Since 2009 Andreas Mensch is the Executive Chef of the Sofitel Budapest Chain Bridge and Paris Budapest Restaurant.

Andreas start his carrier in Vienna-Austria, Demi Chef de Cuisine in the 2 Michelin stars, as well as 4 toques from Gault Millau restaurant Korso. He gained some experience in Oslo-Norway, as Sous Chef in Charge of Banqueting and Conference for up to 2500 Persons …. Then he moved to Riga-Latvia, as Executive Chef 5-star luxury Hotel, Member of the Private Collection and Leading Hotels of the World.

Arrived in united States to work as Executive Chef at Restaurant SILKS, Tyngsboro-USA, home of the 3rd largest wine list in North America, Silks at Stonehedge Inn had established an award winning reputation for its gourmet cuisine, been awarded the Grand Award for Outstanding Wine Lists by the Wine Spectator. Before to join Sofitel, he was in Moscow-Russia at the Shangri La Entertainment Complex and the New York Entertainment Complex, where he was in charge of all restaurants and the Corporate Pastry production.

He is 34 years old and married to Inga Rotberga-Mensch has 2 Children Adam and Arthur, he speaks German, English and Russian.

1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
April 2009, curiosity of something new

2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
Norway, Latvia, USA, Russia

3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
The good Wine

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?
Castle District

5. What is your favorite Hungarian food?
Pork Brassói

6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Hopefully, nothing is missing from my fridge, different sauces, vinegars, oils and spices, just cant get enough of them

7.What is your favorite Hungarian word?
Azonnal, takarítás

8. What do you miss most from home?
Sourdough bread, from the farmer

9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
So far no other career I love what I am doing, but as soon I stop loving I will change

10. What's a job you would definitely never want?
A office job

11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
In Austria, in the mountains

12. Where do you hope to spend your next holiday?
On the sea, did not plan anything concrete yet

13. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
As a teenager I loved Pulp Fiction

14. What can't you resist?
Good Food and Wine

15. Red wine or white?
Both and rose

16. Book or movie?
Movie

17. Morning person or night person?
Morning

18. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?
Poverty

19. Buda or Pest side?
Both are butiful in ther own way

20. What would you say is your personal motto?
Make it good or don’t make it at all.

  • How does this interview make you feel?