Michelin-Starred Chef Shares Outrageous Requests from Celebrities and VIPs
Massimo Falsini, a Michelin-starred chef with over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, recently shared some of the wildest requests he's encountered from guests.
Currently the director of culinary operations at Rosewood Miramar Beach in Montecito, California, Falsini discussed his experiences during an interview with Business Insider.
"I've done some crazy stuff," said Falsini. "I can make a gelato, I can make a croissant, but I can also make a Michelin-starred dish. I've done buffets for 3,000 people. I cooked for 2,000 people in the middle of the desert."
Throughout his career, Falsini has catered to numerous VIPs. One notable request came when he was the executive chef at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai in Hawaii. A loyal guest insisted that Falsini personally prepare all her meals during her stay.
"Every single day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the resort, I had to go to her suite on the balcony and prepare the meal for her," he said. "She had to look at me when I was physically cooking; she didn't want anyone else to cook her food."
Though he couldn't reveal the guest's identity, Falsini stated she was a prominent executive in the entertainment industry.
Another amusing tale involved a guest who required a brand new chair for each visit. "We bought a chair for him, and then we stored the chair, and we wrapped it in plastic every year," he recalled. "Every year when he came back to the hotel, we opened that chair and showed it to him."
Falsini also had to create a standard operating procedure for a guest who demanded that every piece of her fruit salad be cut into 1-inch cubes, highlighting the meticulous nature of some of the requests he received.
Having begun his career washing dishes in Rome at the age of 16, Falsini has worked in various settings, from ultra-luxury hotels to theme parks, which he believes has continuously enriched his culinary skills.
Now, at Caruso's in Rosewood Miramar, Falsini notes that celebrity guests today tend to seek simpler experiences, focusing on enjoying quality food without extravagant requests.
"When they come here with families or significant others, they just want to have a good time. They just want to relax, and just have simple, really good food," he added.
