Hussain Shahzad’s culinary journey began in his native Chennai. With an omelette sandwich that he often made for himself and his brother when his mother went to work.
He had discovered his passion. After working in Indian hotels, Shahzad emigrated to New York in 2014 to cook for the illustrious Eleven Madison Park.
It was sheer luck that he moved on from there to become Roger Federer’s private chef. His New York boss knew that Shahzad wanted to continue his culinary journey and recommended him for a position “with someone from the ATP” in California. The cook did not know any more details at this point.
He could not believe it
When he realized that he was going to be the personal chef of what is arguably the most famous tennis family in Indian Wells, he was almost blown. «I saw the name Mirka Federer in emails. Holy sh …, I thought, that can’t be true! “, Says Shahzad to India’s Internet portal” Scroll.in “
What Shahzad then experienced with Roger and his clan he will never forget. «He had an entourage of 24 people. We were two private chefs. I saw the real luxury and enjoyed it very much, ”he recalls. Despite everything, the Federers stayed on the ground. “I have never met such elitist people, who were so amazingly humble. They respected me and my work and always spoke on the same level. “
Although the Indian had a great time with Roger, he didn’t want to move to Switzerland for the Federers. “To be so bound and to serve someone day in and day out was not for me in the long run.” Shahzad was far from the end of his journey. Today he is the head chef of a top restaurant in Mumbai. The past in the Federer house makes his reputation even more glamorous.
