Chef Om Nayak, Executive Chef and Co-Founder, The Pasta Bowl Company
Chef Om Nayak is an award-winning chef, restaurateur and a true culinary explorer. He started his entrepreneurial journey in 2009 with Chef Om’s Hospitality, where he consults for various successful hospitality businesses and has added a feather each for creating reputed ventures all across India, Mideast, UK and Hong Kong.
Chef Om completed his Bachelor’s degree in hotel management from Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration in Manipal and has earned his expertise by associating with Sheraton Hotel & Towers in Dubai, Goldfinch Hotels, ITC Windsor and Leela Kempinski in Bengaluru.
He conceptualised the restaurant, The Pasta Bowl Company, in 2013. It was a momentous step in his culinary journey of establishing an authentic and distinguished food enterprise.
The Company is a reflection of his love for the Italian cuisine. He specially chose to please the taste buds of the diners with the Sicilian cuisine as he feels it’s more suited and likeable to the Indian palate.
With over 16 years experience in the hospitality industry, he has had the privilege of serving distinguished personalities like late Benazir Bhutto, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, (President of Nigeria), the Australian cricket team and celebrities like Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Enrique Iglesias and Anna Kournikova.
In a candid conversation, he reveals more about his work and himself :
Your philosophy about food?
Cook with love and use the best possible, fresh ingredients and seasonal produce.
Your favourite cuisine?
I love food, so it is difficult to name one cuisine.
Your idol ?
My idols are all those from whom I can learn something.
Your favourite spice?
Cinnamon and star anise
Your favourite cookbook?
La rousse Gastronomique/ L’repertoire
Your hot selling dish?
Truffle Risotto
Lessons learnt in the kitchen?
It’s not as easy as it looks.
How do you like to de-stress?
Cooking while listening to music
What are you passionate about?
Solo dine out and solo travel
If it were to be your last meal on earth, what would you choose?
Dal Chawal and mango pickle
