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Rainer Becker (born 1 May 1961) is a German chef & restaurateur. He is the co-founder of Azumi Restaurant Group and creator of all the brands - Zuma, Roka, Oblix and Inko Nito. Becker's restaurants are known for their Japanese cuisine, with flavours adapted for the Western palate.[1][2]
Rainer Becker | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1 May 1961 |
| Citizenship | German |
| Occupation(s) | Restaurateur and chef |
| Children | 2 |
Early life and career
editRainer Becker was born and raised in Bernkastel-Kues, Germany. He began his culinary journey while he was a child, observing his mother cook meals for the family. Becker had trained at the Goethehaus in Bensberg and Koenigshop in Munich.[3]
After his training, he joined the Hyatt Hotels Corporation in Cologne where he was Chef de Cuisine.[4] In 1992, Becker had his breakthrough when he was appointed Executive Chef of Park Hyatt Sydney.[5] During his tenure, which spanned two years, Becker was recognized by the media earning the title of Executive Caterer of the Year.[5] Subsequently after his time in Australia, he assumed the role of Executive Chef at the Park Hyatt Tokyo in 1994, where he oversaw the launch and operation of all the restaurants in the hotel. In 1998, Becker relocated to London where he served as the executive chef for the Hyatt Carlton Tower hotel.[6]
In 2001, a chance meeting at a barber-shop led Becker to be introduced to investor Arjun Waney, with whom he would launch his first restaurant- Zuma. Zuma opened in Knightsbridge in the summer of 2002. Zuma was also the first restaurant outside of Japan to showcase open-fire cooking over a Robata grill.[7] Its success led to its expansion in many cities internationally.[8] In 2004, Becker introduced a second brand, Roka & Shochu Lounge, capitalising on the popularity of the Robata cooking. And in 2013, he also launched Oblix at The Shard. Inko Nito followed 5 years later.[9][8]
In 2004, Harpers and Moet named him Chef of the Year in 2004. He was also ranked 45th in The Caterer's top 100 list of the most powerful people in hospitality in 2012.[10]
By July 2024, Becker opened over 35 restaurants globally within the Azumi portfolio with locations in London, Hong Kong, Miami, Dubai, Maldives, Rome, Madrid, Capri, Bodrum, Porto Cervo, Las Vegas, Boston, New York , Bangkok, Cannes, Ibiza and Mykonos.[11]
Awards
edit- Best New Restaurant”, Square Meal Awards 2002
- Oriental Restaurant of the Year, Restauranteur’s
- Best Newcomer in 2003 by Guild of Chefs Awards
- Restaurant of the Year”, BMW Square Meal Awards 2003
- Restaurant of the Year “, Tatler Restaurant Awards 2005
- Top 10 Chefs and Top 100 most influential people (Rainer Becker)“, Caterer &Hotelier, Cateys-Auszeichnungen 2005
- Top 10 Chefs and Top 100 most influential people (Rainer Becker)“, Caterer und Hotelier, Catey's Awards 2006
- Winner of the Best Oriental, Best Romantic, and Best Interiors”, Time Out London's Top 50 Restaurants 2008”
- Hamburger Foodservice Preis 2011[12]
References
edit- ^ Thomas, Aby Sam (23 September 2018). "Cooking Up A Win: Zuma Co-Founder Rainer Becker". Entrepreneur. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
- ^ "Best London restaurants for star spotting | Restaurant Reviews, Prices & Menus". www.squaremeal.co.uk. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
- ^ "Rainer Becker". The Caterer. 12 May 2005. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
- ^ "Rainer Becker at the Shard". The Caterer. 10 May 2013. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
- ^ a b Steinhoff, Nane (1 August 2016). "Rainer Becker - A culinary artist par excellence". Discover Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
- ^ "Rainer Becker". The Caterer. 12 May 2005. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
- ^ Cain, Jacqueline (28 May 2019). "Zuma Is Now Open at Four Seasons One Dalton". Boston Magazine. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
- ^ a b "'We didn't have a business plan': chef Rainer Becker on 20 years of Zuma". South China Morning Post. 4 August 2022. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
- ^ restaurantonline.co.uk (9 May 2013). "Hospitality at The Shard: Oblix opens, remaining launch details revealed". restaurantonline.co.uk. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
- ^ Steinhoff, Nane (1 August 2016). "Rainer Becker - A culinary artist par excellence". Discover Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
- ^ ""We are only as good as the last meal we serve": The secrets of Zuma's long-term success - Caterer Middle East". Caterer Middle East. 21 April 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
- ^ "Branchen-Award: Hamburger Foodservice Preis 2012 für Kofler & Kompanie, L'Osteria und Tim Mälzer". food-service.de (in German). Retrieved 24 July 2024.