Magazine: A man of many talents

One of this year’s Gundel Award winners, Lajos Bíró is probably the only Hungarian chef who has been successful for a long time in the kitchen, with his enterprises and in front of the television cameras too. When asked about his biggest professional recognitions, he named the decoration from the government and being a member of the American Academy of Chefs and the Escoffier Club. He is very happy about winning the Gundel Award, but he thinks only the next few years will show its real value. His personal choices to be honoured with the prize would be Tibor Rosenstein and Gyula Gullner. Mr Bíró told us that he became successful because in addition to cooking well, being curious and creative, he is also a good talker and he had a fantastic mentor: János Kiss. Lajos Bíró worked at the US Embassy, at Vörös Sárkány, Múzeum, Bock Bisztró and now in the result of his latest project, the Hold Street Market Hall. He also found the time to be the president of the Bocuse d’Or Academy and to star in culinary TV shows. He is one of the most innovative chefs in Hungary who was the first to introduce many new ingredients and technologies in the kitchen. He isn’t a teacher type but he has always been ready to pass on his knowledge and skills to the new generations. Lajos Bíró says he is 65 years old but he refuses to grow old! He is glad to be acknowledged by the trade and guests. His dream is that his son will follow in his footsteps: he is already in his 1st year at the Business and Hotel Management School in Luzern.