Interview: Chef Jayahath of Sakura, Crowne Plaza



Pictured:  The chef that prepared my maki rolls.  Keep on smiling!

After a strenuous Aikido session (Aikido is a form of Japanese martial arts), I felt that it was only appropriate to have dinner at a sushi restaurant.

I decided to visit Sakura at the Crowne Plaza in Al Farwaniya because it was close by.

I bonged the gong at the entrance to announce I was there (and because it was fun, you're really not supposed to bang it) and sat at the bar with my friend.

I ordered spicy salmon maki, Khalid maki, Fawaz maki, spicy tuna maki.


I also ordered a special roll composed of: ebi filo, crab sticks, rice, carrot, lettuce, avocado, tobiko, and teriyaki sauce.

Pictured: Ichicban Chicken

Needless to say, I ordered more than what I can eat but I ate it all anyway. And of course regretted doing so later.

My friend was more level headed than I am and ordered only udon noodles (a savory combination of warm thick noodles with chicken, shrimp and mixed vegetables and ichiban chicken (a delicate mixture of breaded chicken with a sweet plum sauce).

After that, I decided to interview the chef that cooked my friends dishes (warning: this is mostly from memory, so some parts may be inaccurate)

Me: Hi, thanks for the great food, we really enjoyed it.

Chef Jayahath: You're welcome.

Me: So let's break the ice, my name's Faisal, and you are?

Chef Jayahath: I'm Jayahath.

Me: So tell me your story, how did you start off and how did you end up here?

Chef Jayahath: I studied hotel management in Seloru hotel school and then I studied food management in the National Youth Center in Dubai. I then worked in the Crowne Plaza in Dubai, then I got transferred to Kuwait.

Me: Well I understand that your time is very limited so that's all really, but do you mind if we get a picture?

Chef Jayahath: Sure.


Pictured:  Chef Jayahath (on right) and me (on left)