There would be few restaurants who would not count themselves lucky indeed to have a Michelin-trained chef heading their kitchen.
Foster’s appointment marked the culmination of a global search by Parat for a head chef with the skills and experience to help him guide Mekong Baby, one of the pioneers of Asian fusion cuisine in this country, to new levels of quality and excellence.
Foster trained under, and worked with, some of the most famous names in modern British cuisine, including Marco Pierre White, Anthony Worrall Thompson, Gordon Ramsay, Albert Roux and Michel Roux Jr. He is no stranger to New Zealand shores, having visited New Zealand as a young backpacker in 1998 and again, more recently, when he was brought here to run a cookery class as part of the Sanford Cooking School at the Auckland Fishmarket.
Although he trained in England, it was in Denmark that Foster honed his skills and developed a personal food philosophy based on the values of sustainability, fresh, clean flavours, European techniques and local foraging. Values that align with those that have contributed to Mekong Baby’s continued popularity over the past three years.
Based in southern Denmark on the island of Funen, Foster quickly made a name for himself as a chef of outstanding ability and creativity. In 2008, his restaurant became one of only six in Denmark to be awarded a coveted ambassador role for ‘Valrhona Circle de Chefs’ - recognition of his mastery of all things chocolate. In 2015, he became the first Englishman ever to win the National Competition ‘SmÆrrebrÆd’- a bi-annual competition attracting Denmark’s top chefs.
Recently joined by his wife and two young children, Foster is settling in to life in New Zealand. He is looking forward to the challenge, and responsibility, that comes with taking charge of a hugely successful kitchen. He is a regular face at Auckland’s various produce markets and cannot speak highly enough of the talented team he must now lead, and inspire, at Mekong Baby under the ever-watchful eye of Parat. “I am greatly aware of the massive opportunity that Dominique has given me, and look forward to working with him to continue Mekong Baby’s success” he says.
To Mekong Baby’s loyal and passionate customers, Parat and Foster promise that they will continue to see their favourite dishes on the menu. Parat says “You don’t play around with a highly successful formula, but that doesn’t preclude us introducing some new and exciting flavours and dishes to complement our existing offerings.”
We feel sure that with the talent of Jeff Scott Foster leading the kitchen, and with the benevolent guidance of Dominique Parat, Mekong Baby will continue to surprise and delight Aucklanders with its unique interpretation of Asian fusion cuisine for many more years to come.
MEKONG BABY, 262 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 1113, www.mekongbaby.com