Austrian chef Roland Schuller runs an exclusive catering service for high flying executives in Hong Kong, the city where people appreciate fine food

Austrian chef Roland Schuller, who owned two top-ranked restaurants in Hong Kong in the late 90s, has returned with a new venture - an exclusive catering service preparing dinners for the well heeled.

After he closed Chez Roland in Causeway Bay and Roland's Terrace in Wanchai - citing work pressures - Mr Schuller chilled out in Lugano, Switzerland. A stint at Michelin-starred Don Alfonso 1890 near Naples followed until his current position as executive chef on board the luxury liner Christina O, named after the late Greek shipping heiress.

This has given Mr Schuller time to spend several months here to cook for Hong Kong's discerning diners. He keeps coming back to the city where he started Alfred's Deli in Happy Valley with a Hong Kong partner almost 10 years ago. He has just finished a stint as guest chef for upmarket Italian restaurant Gaia specialising in Roman cuisine. 
 
"A lot of people contact me when I come back to Hong Kong so I decided to start a little catering service cooking for 10-20 people. It's not going to make me a lot of money but it's a bit like planting seeds. I'm doing this venture by myself and there're no partners who want immediate profit," Mr Schuller said.

Too cool to mention

He cooks for the rich and famous - people who'll remain nameless - as his business is food, not gossip, he said. It's bit like "Hong Kong Confidential" as he goes about making stuffed Roman artichokes, braised veal cheeks, boiled tripe or a light seafood pasta for his high flying customers.

The chef with more than 20 years experience says his style is distinctly Mediterranean "with lots of olive oil and no heavy sauces". He maintains a small kitchen in Ap Lei Chau to make his stock and light sauces before he "finishes" off the meal in his clients' homes. 

According to Mr Schuller, there is so much money going around in this part of the world. "Foreign businessmen and people in Hong Kong have more money than anywhere in the world and they appreciate good food and a quality lifestyle. Added to that, Hong Kong is located near the Chinese mainland where the number of wealthy people is on the rise although they maintain low profiles." He also has a project cooking for the elite in a private club in Guangzhou, southern China.

Mr Schuller said he is at a happy stage in his life. On board Christina O, it is peaceful and he can gaze at the stars but in Hong Kong where he can indulge in his favourite cuisine - Cantonese food which relies on fresh ingredients and light sauces - he has an exclusive catering service which demands the best from him.