Anatoly Komm – The Chef Behind Varvari Restaurant
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The success of any restaurant should always be credited to its chef, without which, the dishes will not make any impression towards its diners. The dishes are, after all, what the diners remember about any restaurant, and whether they loved it or not, the chef’s name will always come up and take the praise or the blame.
In Russia, it is Chef Anatoly Komm who made Varvari Restaurant a big name in the culinary world, not only in his part of the globe but internationally as well. He was one of the chefs who pushed Russian cuisine into the limelight by recreating and reinventing it in such a way that it will fit the different palates of food gourmands. He gave the traditional Russian cuisine a very modern twist that it soon earned the praises of food gourmands as well as food and restaurant critics and journalists all over the world. In 2009, Varavari Restaurant landed a spot in the S. Pellegrino list and took the 66th spot.
Chef Anatoly Komm has always had the passion for food and cooking; however, a career in the culinary profession was the farthest thing from his mind when he went to college and after he graduated college. He enrolled at a geophysics class, but when he graduated, he went into the computer and fashion industry. His job in the fashion industry prompted him to travel all over the continent where he got to enjoy different cuisines. However, the love for cooking has always been in the back of his mind that, in 2001, he finally succumbed to his dream and launched, Green, his first restaurant. Little did he know that his first restaurant was going to become a huge success that, in time, he began opening new restaurants to cater to the different types of diners. He also furthered his study and became so adept at molecular gastronomy.
Through molecular gastronomy, he was able to modernize traditional Russian cuisine that it soon attracted the attention of food gourmands coming from all over Europe and abroad as well. Food critics gave his restaurant and cuisine good reviews that he began earning awards for his culinary skill. By reinventing Russian cuisine and introducing it to an international audience, it is the hopes of his peers as well as that of the food critics in Russia that, through Chef Komm, the world will finally take notice of their native dishes and mark its place as one of the best cuisines in the world.
Right now, Varvari Restaurant is considered as one of the top in the country. The décor of the restaurant is exquisitely elegant and classy. The colors are muted and the music is uplifting so as to inspire calm and relaxation. The staff of this classy restaurant is so professional that you need not worry about slow and inefficient service. Varvari Restaurant may seem very formal; however, this should deter you from having a good meal amidst an opulent ambiance.
Chef Komm keeps himself busy not only by managing his kitchens but also by participating at several food festivals. In fact, last January 2010, he was in Paris for the Palais des Festivals et des Congers de Cannes where chefs from more than a dozen countries met. Here, they participated at conferences as well as created their signature dishes.
Aside from activities such as this, Chef Komm remains a true advocate in introducing Russian cuisine. He has made it his personal “war” to change the world’s image of the Russian cuisine. He promotes the use of local Russian ingredients; however, he is the first to admit the difficulty of obtaining some of the ingredients like seafoods. This does not stop him though from using homegrown products if he can. It is his wish to see his beloved Russian cuisine appreciated not only by the international culinary world but, more importantly, by his countrymen.
Image Credit: pariscotedazur.fr
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Australian Chef- Matthew J. Goudge is the mastermind behind the formation of the ProChef360 platform.
Now that’s how I’d love to be introduced to Russian Cuisine I think. You sure are helping me grow my bucket list Matthew
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Chef Matthew J.G Reply:
December 22nd, 2010 at 8:29 am
Hello Anna,
I am happy to hear that the article assisted in expanding your bucket list
Chef Anatoly Komm is true ambassador for the grand cuisine that Russia has to offer.
Matthew
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I totally agree with Chef Anatoly and glad that someone is doing this (promoting a finesse of the Russian cuisine). It was a Russian Tsar, after all, who among other royalties inspired Marie-Antoine Carême in his Grande cuisine. Apparently, Russian cuisine fundamentals have a lot in common with French classic cooking. For one, Russian cuisine has an abundance of exquisite sauces. I am a Chef (trained in Russia, Europe, and North America) and I love creating upscale dishes based on Russian traditional foods. My grandmothers’ simple foods are becoming gastronomy delights worth of three star dining with love, imagination, and knowledge I include in my recipes.
[Reply]
Chef Matthew J.G Reply:
December 22nd, 2010 at 8:25 am
Hello Natasha,
Thanks for your comments. Russian food certainly deserves move recognition.
Happy cooking.
Matthew
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