Maître Rôtisseur Jimmy Sek is the Chef de Cuisine of Trader Vic’s Abu Dhabi. He’s been working there for 31 years.

Conseiller Culinaire Rinaldo Biscaro observed, “In all my career as a Chef and that’s over 40 years, I’ve never met a Chef who’s worked in the same establishment for over 30 years like Jimmy and still has the same enthusiasm and passion as on day one.”

There is perhaps no individual who influenced Chef Jimmy’s discovery of his passion for cooking more than his mother. She especially guided him in the kitchen as a child on how to make sweet and sour chicken. A native of Malaysia, his hometown multicultural background greatly influenced his cooking style, constantly inspiring him to try out new cooking methods and ingredients.

After graduating from Stamford College with a degree in hotel catering management, Chef Jimmy slowly discovered his place within the kitchen by creatively exploring and refining his culinary skills over time. He was soon recruited by his mentor, who was also a Trader Vic’s Corporate Chef, for guidance to master his culinary skills and become a speciality chef professional in Trader Vic’s in London.

In April 1994, a defining moment came for Chef Jimmy as he proudly joined the opening team at Trader Vic’s Abu Dhabi at Beach Rotana. It’s part of the first ever outlet to be opened in the Middle East and he has remained responsible for running it ever since.

Defining himself as a “purist”, he finds the most joy in exploring diverse culinary traditions from across the globe, ranging from Europe to Southeast Asia to the Far East. Chef Jimmy has a special place in his heart for kung pao chicken, which serves as a flavourful reminder of his native Malaysia.

When asked the following questions Chef Jimmy replied as follows:

What you like so much about being a chef?
Being a chef takes a lot of skills and passion to create great food. Food makes people happy, and I love seeing people happy enjoying good food. Apart from tasty food it helps me to create lifelong memories as I believe in a saying, “good food brings people together”.

What is it you like so much about Trader Vic’s to have stayed for 30+ years?
Staying in the same restaurant over decades might not be easy for everyone. I stayed because of the fondness I had for the concept, the people I encountered over the years and the excitement to see them again looking for me. As well as for the management, I appreciate the endearment, fair treatment, and commitment to take care of me and to all my colleagues. I believe that for years to come I will remain passionate about working at an exotic restaurant and I will have the energy to perform my task well.

Prepared by a Chaîne News Online Staff Writer
Researched from various sources. E&OE

Trader Vic’s
Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi
10th Street, Al Zahiyah Area,
P.O. Box 45200
Abu Dhabi

Web: tradervicsabudhabi.com
Tel: +971 (0)2 697 9011