Here is Part 2 and 3 of Chef in the Spotlight – Executive Chef of Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa, Chef Sven Cepon. Chef Sven worked in a number of 5 star hotels in Cyprus and Switzerland for over 5 years, after which he moved to the Maldives in 2008 as Executive Sous Chef for the W Retreat & Spa Maldives. After having served W Maldives for nearly 2 years, Chef Sven joins the Sheraton Maldives in 2010.
In Part 1, Chef Sven Cepon prepared the delectable starter called Lardo di Colonnata, whilst he talked about the uniqueness of Maldivian cuisine and his challenges in the kitchen. Here in Part 2 & 3, Chef Sven prepares the Beef Tartare and exquisite Moroccan Spiced Game ham with Harisa and dates, on Cous Cous whilst giving us some insights into life on the Island, and why all Chefs have a bit of “diva” in them!
Here are, the simple yet effective recipes!
Beef Tartare Mix 750g Beef Fillet 75g Baby Capers 120g Cornichons 2tblespns chopped Parsley 2 finely chopped Eshallots 100ml Tomato Sauce 1tblespn Worcestershire Sauce 2tblespns Mayonnaise 2tblespns Dijon Mustard 1tblespns Horseradish S & PMoroccan Spiced BBQ Quail 12 boned Quails, butterflied Marinade 250ml Olive Oil 2tblespn Honey 4 Star Anise ½ bunch of Thyme 4 cloves of Garlic, sliced 2teaspn Paprika Ground Black Pepper 2teaspn ground Cumin 2teaspn ground Coriander 4 Cinnamon Quills, broken 1teaspn Chilli Flakes Large pinch of Saffron. Combine all ingredients together, pour over the quail, cover and refrigerate overnight. Soak 24 bamboo skewers in water for 30mins. Drain the marinade off the quail and push two skewers through each quail diagonally across each other so the quail sits flat.
Date- Lemon Chutney 6 medium Lemons, zest and flesh finely chopped 2 tblspns Salt 4 cloves of Garlic 100ml extra Lemon Juice 100ml Cider Vinegar 1 tblspn finely grated Ginger 1 teaspn Cardamom Seeds, finely ground 1 teaspn Coriander Seeds, finely ground ½ teaspn Chilli Flakes 225g Brown Sugar 200g fresh Dates, stoned and chopped small. Mix the chopped lemon, lemon zest and juice with the salt and leave overnight. The next day, place the lemon mixture in a heavy pan with all other ingredients except the sugar and dates. Bring slowly to the boil and simmer for 5mins. Add the sugar and dates and gently simmer for 45mins to an hour, until thick and well reduced. Stir from time to time so that it doesn’t stick and burn. Pour into sterilized jars and store for at least 6 weeks before eating.
Harissa 30 Dried Long Red Chillies 9 cloves of Garlic 1 ½ tespn Salt 180ml Olive Oil 3 teaspn Ground Coriander 3 teaspn Ground Caraway Seeds 1 ½ teaspn Ground Cumin. Remove the stalks and seeds from the chillies and soak in hot water for 30mins. Blend chilli, garlic salt and olive oil together. Add the remaining spices and blend.
Chef Sven Cepon really impressed us with his knowledge of food and the way he employed fresh ingredients with minimal adulteration was truly commendable. We have to say that all the food that he prepared for us during our stay was delicious, and that we are now fans of his terrific cooking! It’s too bad I have to wait till my next Maldives trip to see him again.. but maybe, I’ll just get him to cook for me instead, if and when when he comes visit us in Malaysia!
Previous posts on our trip to Maldives:
2. Chef in the Spotlight, Chef Sven Cepon of the Sheraton Maldives, Part 1
3. Malé and Hulhumalé, Maldives
Add: Sea Salt, Sheraton Maldives Fullmoon Resort and Spa, Furanafushi Island, North Male’ Atoll Male’, 20-15 Phone: (960) 664 2010 [mappress mapid=”44″]
I think tartare is one of those things I prefer to leave to the experts – scared I poison myself if I make it at home 😛
me too! but it was the easiest dish, to be fair! hehe
These recipes look delicious!
tastes good too!
the fact that you are in the Maldives and in a Sheraton Full Moon Resort…I am so very jealous!
LOL, haha.. come visit me!!
Island + Food = Great combo. Beef Tartare sounds so good.