“Spoke to You Like Equals”: Chef Opens up on His Experience with Roger Federer

Roger Federer often commands a royal lifestyle. Given the tennis player is the highest-paid athlete in 2020, Federer has a huge reputation and an aura around him. But he is always seen as a humble figure, and the Swiss legend former personal chef has narrated an account that is proof of this humilty.

Chef Hussain Shahzad recently spoke about his culinary journey and shared his experience from when he was Roger Federer’s personal chef.

Chef Hussain Shahzad’s reaction to becoming Roger Federer’s personal chef

Hussain, who hails from India, quickly made immense progress when he joined the famed restaurant Eleven Madison Park in New York. After rising in the ranks at the restaurant, Hussain was offered the post of Federer’s personal chef, and this was an offer he couldn’t refuse. Hussain wasn’t initially aware of this offer. He spoke about how he felt when he received a few emails from Federer’s wife, Mirka Federer. He said:

“It was only when emails went back and forth and tickets came in that I saw the name Mirka Federer [Roger Federer’s wife] for the first time. I was like, ‘Holy sh*t, are you serious?’ A few days later, I found myself on a flight to Indian Wells where Federer was playing. He had an entourage of 24 people. There were two personal chefs – Daniel and me. At the end of it, he asked me if I wanted to move to Switzerland, but I realized personal cheffing was not for me.”

Hussain Shahzad speaks about his experience with Roger Federer

Although Hussain rejected the offer of relocating to Switzerland, he spoke highly of his experience with Federer at Indian Wells. He touched upon the luxury and respect he received while working there. He said:

“It was fun while it lasted – I had never met such high-profile people and they were amazing and humble. They respected you, your work, and they spoke to you like equals. I saw true luxury and enjoyed it, but I knew I didn’t want to do it for long.”

The Swiss maestro will be keen on making a return at the 2021 Australian Open. Federer has been out due to his knee surgeries and has been recovering steadily.

Read More: “Surpassed The Boundaries Of Tennis”: Rafael Nadal Cherishes His Invaluable Relationship with Roger Federer