The New Brand Chef of "Grand Hotel Moika 22" Nikolai Khyvalynsky

"Grand Hotel Moika 22" has opened a new chapter in its gastronomic history - the hotel's kitchen is now headed by Brand Chef Nikolai Khyvalynsky.

For over 25 years, Nikolai has worked and trained in the best international hotels and restaurants in St. Petersburg and Sochi (Pullman & Mercure Sochi Centre), including European ones. For instance, his resume includes internships in the Netherlands and Azerbaijan, experience as a chef at the Dom 16 restaurant in Vilnius, as well as collaborative gastronomic events with chefs from Germany, France, and Italy, including starred chefs such as Albert Adrià, Atila, and Esben Holmboe Bang.

At the same time, Nikolai considers world gastronomy stars whom he hasn't met personally but follows their work by studying their books, masterclasses, and social media as his teachers.

For example, the "Guide to Fermentation" from the cult Copenhagen restaurant Noma, which holds two Michelin stars.

"I love aesthetics and mindfulness in food, minimalism, balance on the plate. Depending on the season and location, I plan which ingredients are best to choose for cooking. Of course, it's foolish to focus only on experiments, so I listen very carefully to feedback from my guests and colleagues when working on the menu," says Nikolai about his cooking style.

In Europe, Nikolai had diverse experiences – from working for the large cruise company GCcl, where chefs gathered for 1-2 months to exchange experiences (it was like a summer camp for chefs), to opening the Dom 16 restaurant, which Nikolai was involved with in Vilnius.

Since 2016 in Sochi, he organized a series of events for the "New Wave" festival and the FIFA World Cup. The most vivid memory is hosting a dinner at the Pullman hotel attended by the Brazilian national team after their victory, arriving with their families right after the match.

In St. Petersburg, Nikolai's name is known for his own project, All Grain, in collaboration with AF Brew, which he considers his most interesting experience.

Having joined the "Grand Hotel Moika 22" team very recently, Nikolai has already managed to update the menu at the Bellevue restaurant and invites guests to try the new flavors of modern St. Petersburg cuisine, preserving centuries-old traditions but in his own interpretation.

Nikolai has taken French cuisine with its complex sauces and unwavering attention to each ingredient as a foundation, aiming to reveal and emphasize their taste.

Asian notes and Scandinavian minimalism are also present.

"Restaurant Bellevue is a unique place, not an everyday restaurant but a venue for special occasions due to its location, beautiful view, and history. Here, I don't want to create simplistic cuisine but to cook in a way that the guest receives unique emotions from the evening spent with us. Striving for constant improvement while not being overly formal or serious, but maintaining the vibe of a friendly, cozy place where you relax and want to return to," Nikolai shared his plans for the Bellevue restaurant.