We never imagined that overseas, world stars would be eating our food, but it has become a reality. Spago's talented young chef István Szántó has made it happen. He is the first Hungarian chef to work among the chefs at the Oscars. The menu included chicken paprikás, wild game, Eszterházy cake and somló dumplings. Some of the world's most famous film stars have sampled Hungarian cuisine from a Hungarian chef.
We can be proud of the chef's vadas
The domestic Gastronomy has been building success after success around the world in recent years. We've reached the point where we're now counted and known within the culinary world. We take part in various international competitions, we win the European final of the world's most prestigious cooking competition and we have organised the European final of the Bocuse d'Or for the second time. But to be at the world's biggest film festival, where world stars parade and millions follow the action, is the first time we have been it happened that Hungarian chef dazzles people with Hungarian food. Samuel L. Jackson's request for a repeta is a much bigger deal than Will Smith's infamous slap in the face incident with Chris Rock.
Chef István Szántó
The name of chef István Szántó has so far been mostly within professional circles were known. He originally started out as a technician and later became a pastry chef. After completing his studies at home, he went to France on a scholarship for a three-year training course, where he obtained a French pastry diploma. He later worked in several jobs, then cook, and has now become a chef. He worked as a deputy chef at the Parliament, catering and organising banquets. He worked at the City Park Cafe and then moved into fine dining at Costes Downtown. He worked there for three years as a sous chef and then as a chef. From there, he moved to his current position at Matild Palace as head chef at Spago.
István Szántó: „Being a pastry chef first, I developed a sense of precision that I still carry with me to this day. I can still use that as a chef and, importantly, as a chef, I have an insight into the pastry world.”
From Matilda Palace to the Oscars
At the party after the Oscars, where the coolest actors toasting the awards, those watching with their mouths agape across the silver screen now tasting Hungarian food. The chef at Spago at Matild Palace got a huge opportunity. Wolfgang Puck, the restaurant's owner, was invited to cook for the world stars at the Oscars. This came about because Wolfgang Puck has been cooking with his team at the Gala for 25 years, and now, thanks to a new concept, the world food they wanted to show it off, serve it to celebrities. Chef István Szántó was asked to do the honours, and he surprised the world stars with a delicious meal. More than 100 chefs prepared at least 100 different dishes in the 600 square metre kitchen, and 400 waiters and waitresses were busy at the party.
The dishes that have wowed movie stars
Iconic Hungarian dishes have been enjoyed by Hollywood celebrities. It was important to prepare comfort food and snacks.
A vadas took the lead, which is well adapted to American tastes. The boiled beef and sweet sauce, although an unfamiliar dish to them, was a hit with the stars, who queued up in long lines for it. They also tasted the cgherkin paprikash, made in a crispy pastry crust. From Esterházy cake with its traditional look was undoubtedly a great success, as was the somló dumplings, served in walnut-shaped chocolate.
Photo: Matilda Palace
