Chef Dieter Kuttemann

Latin America

Dieter Kuttemann is the Corporate Executive Chef for Gate Gourmet in Brazil. He joined the company in 1995, when he helped oversee Gate Gourmet's acquisition of Varig's Flight Kitchen in Sao Paulo. His office is based in Sao Paulo, where he oversees the production of approximately 14,500 meals per day for an average of 100 total flights on 12 international airlines.

Chef Dieter's career dates back to his chef apprenticeship in June 1963. For the next 20 years, he worked in well-known hospitality establishments throughout Europe (including Movenpick Restaurant Fusterie in Geneva, Switzerland) and in South Africa (President Hotel and Hillbrow Post Office Tower revolving restaurant in Johannesburg, and Mount Nelson Hotel Grill Room in Cape Town).

In 1984, he was awarded certification and a diploma as a Swiss Hotelier and Caterer. Chef Dieter started in the onboard industry in 1989 with Swissair Catering as Assistant Production Manager Switzerland and held a number of airline catering positions worldwide before joining Gate Gourmet.

Chef Dieter's cooking style draws upon techniques and flavors from all corners of the globe, but his own cooking is rooted in classical French tradition. His style of cuisine today is fine rather than fancy: "It distinguishes itself through simplicity and high standards of quality in ingredients and preparation."

When he's not cooking food, Chef Dieter likes to read about it, particularly the latest information available on the Internet. He also enjoys eating out, sampling new food and tasting wine. In the rest of his spare time, you can find Chef Dieter listening to Classical and Brazilian popular music or going to the theater or cinema.

Chef Dieter says...

Chef Dieter says there are simple but true mottos by which he runs his kitchen:

• Don't waste food;
• Plan your preparation times and quantities carefully so that you can enjoy what you are doing;
• Take pride and care in your personal appearance;
• Treat others as you would treat yourself - with dignity, respect and sincerity.