Vladimir Scanu, the corporate chef of the One & Only Resorts, left his home country, Italy, 13 years ago to work in the hospitality sector. His job has now brought him to the shores of Mauritius, where he manages the Food & Beverage departments of all five hotels of the One & Only Resorts.

Vladimir is in Mauritius on a one-year contract, but he has already decided that he will stay on longer. This is maybe because the relations that this man develops with other people, be they professional or personal, are rarely superficial. ?You have to get the people in their hearts and, when they see you?re committed, they are ready to trust you and follow.?

This philosopher in the making is also an artist at heart. He considers cooking as an art, a bit like opera. ?You can spend many hours preparing a dish, like a singer practises for a show and the guest finishes it in 5 minutes. It is a very ephemeral way of expression but it is the sensation produced which is important for me.? The appetite with which he explores different ?cuisines? ? a term he finds is a limitation to culinary creations ? is not selective. ?I don?t favour any single type of cuisine, there?s only good or bad food ?

A lifetime passion for food, added to a fascination ?for hotel lobbies dating from his childhood?? and it is easy to understand why Vladimir has specialised in hospitality. ?I manage the kitchens but I am also active in making food because I like to be fully involved in the interaction and movement,? he says, observing the comings and goings from the veranda of the One & Only Le Saint Géran hotel.

Vladimir remains Italian at heart: what he misses most from his home country is undoubtedly? ?the cooking of mama? ! The profession he has chosen allows him to move a lot, a way of life that he definitely likes and that his wife and his daughter seem to appreciate as well as they follow him everywhere he goes. He nevertheless feels the need to go back to Italy once or twice a year to stay in touch with his home, culture and traditions.

Vladimir is a man who ?needs freedom.? Maybe this is why he likes the wind and sailing. ?I also like to have some time for myself because, in the sector I work, you?re constantly meeting people. Practising yoga is one of his ways of ?relaxing and having a think about life.?

Vladimir is a perfectionist. He has a clear objective for his time in Mauritius: to ?fully and properly upgrade the F &B department to a six-star level.? Undoubtedly, Vladimir will devote all his energies to this project and will not leave until it is up to his standards.