Josef Paier

After China, Philippines & Singapore, an opportunity to work in Hong Kong was to complete my Asian experience & a chance to be part of the handover of HK to China, the city where things happen overnight. Opening a convention centre was an interesting challenge, our first functions came in sizes of ,,500 to 5,000 but with the right team every event was an adventure. Some of them today lead large operations or have their own business. After 21 years serving guests, I switched to serve the industry.

My transfer to Singapore was unique in many ways. Last day in Manila the 31st Dec2001 and 1st Jan 2002 my first day, doing the handover in the afternoon. A fantastic hotel, Singapore was the first time nothing major happened in the country, An outstanding team we set up an apprentice program for 20 young chefs which some of them later in their careers have been part of the Singapore national team and are among the best known local chefs. It was a great time. Visit the city some day www.visitsingapore

Leaving Hilton after 10 years was a tough choice, but when the offer came join Mandarin Oriental Manila it is hard to say no. In my 3 years in Manila I saw a 7 day military coup d'état, a major earthquake and Mount Pnatoupo, largest volcano eruption in the 20th century. I brought the 1st culinary Phil nat. Team to FHA to Singapore and had the honor to be the first chef of Asia to be invited to James Beard Foundation & it would be last time I see my friends at Windows of the World

After NY and KC, my first landing in Shanghai, it reminded me on the movie “Back to the Future” and the Hilton with its 45 stories looked like things from two different time zones. Also going to work took a change, from Subway to the Iron Horse (famous Chinese bicycle) With 250 chefs (or who want to become one) was quiet a change from NY. Considered one of the first 5 star hotel it was a fantastic experience with a fantastic team who many of them today are entrepreneurs with their own success story.

Being with Hilton now a few years, I was transferred to Kansas City, www.visitkc.com as Ex. Sous Chef for the 2 year old property to fine-tune & upgrade the operation. Also during this time Ferry Davis big vision to consolidate Hilton, Westin, Hertz & United Airlines fell apart & the Vista Kansas was sold in an overnight action. While I could have stayed on, had an option to Chicago or Las Vegas, I decided mov to Shanghai, China to be part of the opening the first Hilton in PRC.

With the option to transfer to Bangkok, Chicago or New York, I choose the later, who dos not want to be in the BIG APPLE http://www.nycgo.com. On 04 July 1996 we also had the best view for the 200 centennial celebration, helping us to break many existing world records doing the most covers per day, highest covers per table etc. the place was an amazing operation, much like an upside-down submarine, too much work in too little space. But what a view. A group of us planned a 20 year reunion party for 2004

Transferred from Bahrain to Kuwait to open the hotel extension and the Failaka restaurant, it also give the opportunity to sharpen my winemakers skill to convert grape juice into classical vintage wines ( not readily available in the country). During my stay I also saw the US embassy across the hotel evaporate (blown up with a truck bomb) and I did various special assignments for Hilton in Dubai Cairo as a highlight taking care for the UN woman conference in Kenya in 1985.

Hilton Directory & Telephone & a portion courage & an unconventional approach landed me the first job overseas in Bahrain, www.bahraintourism.com During the 3 ½ y. I had the opportunity to get acquainted with the late H.H. Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa & took care for some of his personal functions, (this kind of moon lighting was ok with HI). Even being offered a job as chef in his private residence, I decided to stay with Hilton, a decision which in the later years made me wonder.

Fresh form the Army in Vienna, I returned to the real world. I took the Hilton Hotel Directory and started calling for a job vacancy. Started by Hilton Addis Ababa and found my first overseas job with the Hilton Bahrain, to fill the few months in between, before departing for the dessert island, I moved to St. Jakob in Defereggen www.defereggental-info.at to rehabilitate my account and enjoy Austria’s natural beauty.

Everyone is invited to take part of this 8 month military service. The first few month I spend most of time in the so-called fields & ditches being motivated by Jr. & field officers. The remaining 6 months, I spend in the Officers Mess (restaurant) not accessible for JR. officers. We started a take-away service for JR officers, who became very much our friends and with a monthly pay of ECU 70, it helped our usually empty wallets a bit ( I realized , I have the best job in the world – even in the army)

a Special summer season assignment

getting the taste for the world hotel industry

Winter season assignment during my apprenticeship It also offered me the opportunity to be part of the opening team of their new restaurant, which had the show kitchen right in front of the guest, something very unique at the time on top of if 1976 , Seefeld also was the host of the Olympic winter games (what can I say , I had the time of my life )

www.lbs-gleichenberg.ac.at