If you’re looking to indulge in a culinary gastronomy on your next trip to Bali then meet Chef Manoj Rawat, the Executive Chef of The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali. Chef Manoj is responsible for several Food & Beverage dining venues at the resort including beachfront Ikan Restaurant & Bar, Prego the fun Italian restaurant, Kites Bar & Lounge, By The Water, Seasonal Tastes and Velada Tapas Bar & Kitchen as well as Hamabe Japanese Restaurant. Chef Manoj has introduced a lot of creative and healthy preparations that complement Westin’s wellness concept. His personal food philosophy involves sourcing quality ingredients and using them with respect.
Born and brought up in India, Chef Manoj was passionate about cooking from a very early age. He embarked on a three year diploma in Hotel Management and then accepted his first job in the hospitality industry as a teenager with Grand Hyatt New Delhi. As an Operations Trainee, he was exposed to all the inner workings of the Food & Beverage department. Over the ensuing years, Chef Manoj rapidly rose through the ranks of the culinary hierarchy by working for some of the top hotel brands in India. He enjoyed the challenge of a pre-opening stint for The Westin Sohna Resort & Spa, Gurgaon, where he was instrumental in setting up two opening kitchens.
Upon relocating to Australia for a role at Sheraton on The Park in Sydney, Chef Manoj took charge of Botanica Brasserie. This popular eatery invariably served up to 1,000 meals a day and won the prestigious AHA National Award for excellence in 2010 under Chef Manoj’s leadership. A subsequent move later saw him move into the role of Executive Chef at Crowne Plaza Perth to oversee culinary and banqueting operations.
In his spare time, Chef Manoj, a family man, likes to read fiction novels and play the occasional round of golf. He is a consummate food lover at heart and takes pleasure in all Asian flavours. Chef Manoj has been quick off the mark to experience authentic Balinese food, his favourite so far being Ayam Betutu and the spicy pork sausage known as Urutan.
