LM: What’s your signature dish?
EP: At the moment my signature dish is Edible Crab which is Crab mousse served with corn flan, puree and popcorn textures, baby and grilled sweetcorn with tricolour sprouts salad in the side dish.
LM: Who’s the most famous person you’ve cooked for so far?
EP: Costes Restaurant has welcomed many VIPs, dignitaries, celebrities and famous actors such as Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Robert De Niro, right through to Hungary’s famous pianist Balázs Havasi and the three Michelin star chef Guy Savoy to name but a few.
LM: As a female Head Chef, are you seeing more women wanting to follow in your footsteps?
EP: Female Head Chefs are few and far between, but for those women who do go on to forge a career within this male dominated industry usually end up achieving great fame and fortune too. From my personal point of view, a female chef is always needed in order to balance the energy within a strong cooking environment.
LM: We hear you love to travel? What’s the most luxurious travel destination you’ve been to? What’s your next travel destination?
EP: It is very true, I do love to travel. I really like to get to know new cultures, lifestyles and meet with new people too. I believe there is always something new to see, learn and experience from travelling. My most luxurious travel destination to date has been definitely Ibiza. I also want to explore new destinations in the future too such as Las Vegas and Bora Bora.
LM: You recently got the opportunity to visit Budapest’s famous Sziget Festival. How was it for you? Which artists / bands did you get to see?
EP: Yes that’s right, it was my first time at Sziget Festival and it was such a pleasant surprise. I had an amazing time with great people. It was a very well organised festival which also had a superb VIP section. I was fortunate enough to enjoy the concert from the backstage VIP area where you can meet a variety of famous people. This year I met with the global superstar DJ David Guetta and thoroughly enjoyed his spellbinding set from the VIP area. It was a truly memorable experience.
LM: What was your highlight of Sziget Festival?
EP: My highlight of Sziget Festival has to be being backstage and also getting the chance to meet with David Guetta and get a signed autograph from him too.
LM: The future is looking bright for you and Costes Restaurant. What does the next chapter look like, and what are you hoping to achieve?
EP: These are exciting times at Costes Restaurant, and I am looking to help raise our fine dining experience and service to the next level. My ultimate goal is to maintain the restaurant as Hungary’s No.1 fine dining restaurant. As for the next chapter, I hope to help Costes Restaurant be the first premium eating outlet in Hungary to achieve its second Michelin star. Now that would be a great story!
Eszter Palagyi & Costes Restaurant – Where and How?
Costes Restaurant is located at Ráday u. 4., Budapest 1092, Hungary. For more information, visit www.costes.hu
Eszter Palagyi photography courtesy of Costes Restaurant.
Sziget Festival photography courtesy of Rockstar Photographers.
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