Randolph Rules: Hilton Wangfujing Chef, Randolph Joseph Ng Sze Jen

As the new executive chef at the Hilton Wangfujing, Randolph Joseph Ng Sze Jen looks after the restaurants Vasco’s and Chynna, as well as the Fizztastic Sunday brunch, a weekly parade of cuisines from around the world. We asked him about his name, cooking for Michael Jackson, and what an executive chef actually does.

Your name is derived from words for “wolf” and “shield.” Does your personality reflect either of those things?
I’m a strong defender (shield), manly and brave (wolf ), and a leader. Wikipedia says the wolf was used in medieval heraldry to symbolize “the rewards of perseverance in long sieges or hard industry.” That’s like our long hours, planning with other departments for change, with new menus and so on.

What does an “executive chef” do?
We are leaders. Like all good leaders, we sell our ideas not only to our guests but also to our team. We plan for change, market it to our team and guide them along. We get the chefs motivated and willing to give their all towards the drive for excellence.

What particular skills and experience do you need to get a job as an executive chef?
Good management skills, cooking skills, positivity, passion and drive.

And if you had to change careers, what other job would your skills translate well to?
Sales.

How many hours did you spend cooking in your first job – and how many now?
About 15 or 16 hours a day. I’m very hands-on, so now let’s say it’s still about five or six.

What is your favorite dish to cook?
I love to do some lazy late-morning cooking. Like when you would go to Grandma’s on Sunday afternoon, where the whole family would gather, aunties in the kitchenwith grandma and all of them cooking together and catching up. Every dish that came out was wholesome and rustic and had this “I don’t quite care” sort of feel, but once the food got inside you, you’d love it! That’s what I’m doing now for our Fizztastic brunch. Wholesome, nutritious and good food, excellent service, and a whole lot of love!

We’ve heard that you cooked for Michael Jackson – tell us about that.
He was nice. I never actually met him in person, but he always remembered a “please” here or a “thank you” there.

Favorite Michael Jackson song?
“Man in the Mirror.”

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Photo courtesy of the Hilton Beijing Wangfujing