Why this admirer of Alain Ducasse loves classic and authentic cuisine

Guillaume Gallas, manager of the Novotel Citygate in Hong Kong, worked for Ducasse and was part of the opening team for two-Michelin-star Amber restaurant

Despite years in fine dining, he enjoys any kind of dish that’s done to perfection, from crepes to hotpot to cha chaan teng fare

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Frenchman Guillaume Gallas is complex general manager of the Novotel Citygate hotel, and previously worked for legendary chef Alain Ducasse.

Published: 5:45pm, 26 Aug 2020Updated: 7:11pm, 27 Aug 2020

Frenchman Guillaume Gallas is the complex general manager of the Novotel Citygate hotel in Hong Kong and the soon to be opened The Silveri MGallery, both part of AccorHotels.

My career somehow began in the food and beverage industry around my hometown of Saint-Malo in Brittany. I’ve worked for legendary chef Alain Ducasse. [In Hong Kong] I was part of the opening team of Amber [by chef Richard Ekkebus].

Despite these years of fine dining, I find myself enjoying more the classics of any sort of cuisine – where simplicity and authenticity of products and techniques are key.

On weekdays, I usually stick to eating healthy, mostly proteins with some vegetables or salad. But on weekends, I make it a point to experience new and not so new restaurants to support the hospitality community.

The interior of Neighborhood restaurant in Central. Photo: SCMP

Neighborhood (61-63 Hollywood Road, Central, tel: 2617 0891) is by David Lai, who is a prodigy I met when I helped open Spoon by Alain Ducasse [now closed]. His food is simple, yet complex, using locally sourced products and usually presenting it family-style to share.