Executive Chef Wolfgang Godl of the Radisson Blu Hotel Doha talks changes of heart and favourite dishes.

How did you first become interested in the culinary world?
My parents had a small pension. I always helped my mother in the kitchen and that’s where I got my first taste of the culinary world. I hated it then, but now I’m glad I got that experience alongside my mother

Your career was mainly in Europe, what prompted your move to Pakistan and now Qatar?
I had some health issues in 2018 and took several months out to recover before an old friend from Pakistan called me and asked if I would like to come there to work. I was in Pakistan for three years before losing my job due to the pandemic. After that, I came to the Radisson Blu Doha and I have happily been here ever since.

Your hotel has a huge range of outlets – how do you manage to maintain the quality and keep them all updated?
I have good chefs working in all 20 food and beverage venues of the hotel and we cook high quality dishes. By constantly talking to the staff and chefs about any problems and addressing them, I believe I have built up a good level of trust with the team members and I thank them for very high quality work.

What would be your favourite dish across all the hotel’s restaurants and why?
For me, personally, sushi and sashimi at Sakura Sushi Bar & Teppanyaki. I like to eat fresh dishes and fish is my favourite. There are great dishes across the hotel’s many excellent offerings. I would recommend the Maine Lobster Cocktail – I like the different colours and freshness of the dish. I also find the composition of the products, lobster with fruit, vegetables and salad, very good. The presentation looks attractive and the dish also tastes great. Also, the Veal Medallions with a Gorgonzola Cheese Crust. What I like about this dish is the combination of meat and cheese. I know a lot of people don’t like it, but after the first taste, many people are convinced. It is a good combination. The dish creates a beautiful image with the vegetables and the sauce that goes with it. A delicious dish for a fine-dining restaurant. The Main Lobster Cocktail and Veal Medallions are both favourites served in Bentley’s Grill. ✤