MUSAAFER CORPORATE EXECUTIVE CHEF
Chef Mayank Is Available For Speaking Engagements, Talking Head Tv Appearances, Filmed (Tv) Or Live Event Culinary Competition Judging, South Asian Leadership Events, Wedding Menu Planning And Celebrity Chef Collaborations. He Is A Graduate Of The Institute Of Hotel Management Of Guwahati, India. Chef Mayank Combines His Expertise, Passion And Encyclopedic Knowledge Of Spices, Ingredients And Textures Serving A Neoteric Indian Dining Experience In A Stunning, Expertly Curated Setting Within Musaafer (Meaning The Traveller”,) Built Within Houston’s Luxurious Galleria At Westheimer And Sage.
RECENT PRESS, FIRSTS, AND ACCOLADES
In February 2024, Musaafer Was Named Among The “top 15 Most Romantic Restaurants In The World” Alongside Such Luminaries As NYC’s “eleven Madison Park” By Blacklane, An International, Award-winning Vip Travel Company, With A Team Of Over 300 People With Hubs In Singapore, Spain, The U.a.e., The U.k., And The U.S. Additionally In February Of 2023, He Was Honored With A Nomination For “best Chef” By The Houston Culture Map “tastemaker Awards”
January 2024 Saw The Unveiling Of An Avant-garde Dinner Collaboration With Bayou City Hemp And 8th Wonder Brewery, Featuring Eight Courses Of Thc-infused Dishes Alongside Infused Mocktails And Cocktails.
In 2023, Musaafer And Chef Mayank Made The Coveted “top 100 Restaurants In Houston - Culinary Stars” List Curated By The Highly Respected Food Critic Alison Cook.
In 2021, “time Magazine” Listed Musaafer As “one Of The Top 100 Places To Visit In The World”
And Recently, Chef Mayank And Musaafer Have Been Been Featured In “conde Nast Traveller”, “Houston Life” “Fox26 Tv”, “the Houston Chronicle”, “cw39 Tv”, “Houston Business Journal”, “paper City Magazine”, “fsr Magazine” And Many More. Chef Mayank Was Also The Presenter Of “indian Heritage Through Cuisine, Culture And Spices” For The Foundation For India Studies (Fis) On The Celebration Of Indo -american Heritage Day
A Brief Note About Fis (Fis Runs A Project In University Of Houston, TX With A Vision To Promote Knowledge About India’s Contribution To The World In The Field Of Language Literature, Arts, Sciences, Engineering, Politics, Economics And Spirituality.) He Was Recently In The News For His Innovative Creation Called “the V-pill”, Taking Inspiration From Ayurvedic Herbs And Spices, More Details Of Which Are Forthcoming.
LATEST NEWS
Mayank’s quest for re-discovering long-forgotten ingredients, including nuts, fungi, spices, herbs and more, and bringing them back into the mainstream, is an on-going passion which keeps him going “back to the well” to resurrect the magic of culinary history.
Afzal, A Seasoned Professional With Over 18 Years Of Invaluable Experience In The Food And Beverage Industry, Has Showcased Managerial Excellence That Resonates Globally. From India And The Uk To Africa, The Middle East, And America, Afzal Has Successfully Managed Award-winning Bars, Leaving An Indelible Mark On The Industry.
With A Degree In Hospitality Management From London, Afzal's Commitment To Continuous Learning Is Evident Through His Qualification As An Educator For Wset Uk. His Talent Extends Beyond Industry Experience, As Highlighted By Triumphs In Prestigious Bar Competitions Like The Mmi Mixology Competition, The Havana Club Master Bartender Competition, And Emirates Elr Competition In Dubai.
Afzal's Expertise In Spices, Indian Ingredients, And Flavours Is Unparalleled. Through Hand-selecting Quality Ingredients That Support Local Communities, He Brings Industry Benchmarking Cocktail Concepts And Signature Serves To The Musaafer Menu. His In-depth Understanding Of Indian Culture Gives Him The Edge To Create A Fun And Experiential Menu, Exemplified By Cocktails Like The Kohinoor, Paan Negroni, And Pumpkin Spice Kappi. The Innovative Concept, "The Beekeeper," Is A Collaboration With A Houston Beekeeper, Featuring Cocktails Representing Different Neighbourhoods And Served In Four Unique Ways.
As A Passionate Advocate For Sharing Knowledge, Afzal Has Trained Bartenders Throughout His Career. Beyond Bartending, He Has Curated Luxurious Beverage Experiences For Renowned Michelin-starred Chefs And Ultra-luxury Events, Collaborating With Chef Vineet Bhatia, Chef Thevar, Chef Yves Mattagne, And Receiving The Forbes India Leadership Award In 2023.
Afzal's Creative Prowess Shines Through In The 150+ Signature Serves Crafted For Prestigious Brands Like Johnnie Walker, Ketel One, Ciroc, Tanqueray, Don Julio, Baileys, Singleton, Talikser, Nestle Coffee, And Monin. He Has Served An Illustrious Clientele, Including Taj, Itc, Hyatt, Jw Marriotts, Four Seasons, St Regis, Ritz Carlton, Impresario, Massive Group, Mercedes, Bmw, And Acclaimed Fashion Designers Shantu & Nikhil.
Leading The Diageo Bar Academy For Eight Years, Afzal Elevated The Standards Of Bartending And Mixology In The Region. His Expertise And Reputation Led To Invitations To Judge Prestigious Cocktail Competitions, Solidifying His Position As A Respected Figure In The Industry.
In Conclusion, Afzal's Remarkable Career Journey Showcases Extensive Experience, A Diverse Skill Set, And Unwavering Dedication To The F&b Industry. His Expertise, Recognized Through Numerous Awards, Achievements, And Influential Collaborations, Has Left An Indelible Mark On Luxurious Brands, Large-scale Events, And Professionals He Has Mentored Throughout The Years.
