Behind the Scenes at Essensia

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Jiří Štift, Executive Chef

One of the city’s most exciting young talents, Jiří Štift joined the Mandarin Oriental family in May 2009. Štift was schooled at the Prague Hotel Management School and began his culinary career at the InterContinental in Prague, before travelling the world on board the famous Queen Elizabeth II for six months working in its prestigious kitchens. Upon his return to Prague in 1999, Štift joined five-star hotel in Prague and was appointed Executive Chef in 2002. During his six-year tenure, the hotel’s restaurant was established as one of Prague’s best for seafood gastronomy and his efforts earned him the much coveted five-star Diamond Award from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences, the first ever to receive the award in Prague. Štift also has claimed numerous Czech Gourmet Guide awards.

Chef Štift has revived traditions from the Golden Era of Czech cookery to present guests with nothing less than a renaissance of the region’s cuisine. He makes the most of fresh seasonal ingredients sourced both locally and globally, using them in creative preparations that maintain fidelity to the origins of each dish.

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Zdeněk Křížek, Executive Sous Chef

Having worked three years as a Chef de Partie at another Prague luxury hotel, Zdeněk Křížek has been an exceptional addition to the Mandarin Oriental, Prague’s culinary team thanks to his versatility, experience and operational excellence.

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Pavel Winter, Restaurant Manager

Pavel Winter is an experienced and versatile restaurant professional. Aside from his expertise in restaurant management accumulated through years of working in premier Prague hotels and restaurants, he also holds professional certificates as a bartender, sommelier, and wine taster.