Fraternity readers frequently request that a Hungarian chef’s special recipe be printed in this magazine.  Now, fortunately, thanks to Mrs. Andrea Bors Somogyi, wife of the Ambassador of Hungary, one of the finest chefs in Hungary now presents a tasty creation for our readers.  Currently, Hungarian Chef-in-Residence Lázár Kovács, serves the Hungarian Embassy and the Ambassador’s residence with his culinary skills.  He also hosts his own TV cooking show in Hungary and considers Hungarian pastries to be his true specialty.  A Chef Rottiseur of the Chaine des Rottiseurs, he studied in Budapest and at the Ritz Hotel in Paris before becoming Chef of Restaurant Alabárdos, one of Hungary’s ten best restaurants and a favorite of Budapest’s elite and visiting celebrities.  In 2005, he opened his namesake, Lázár’s Restaurant, in the posh Rózsadomb district of Budapest.

Chef Kovács is well-known for his cooking courses and seminars and has traveled beyond his country’s borders to establish the Hungarian restaurant Facade in Moscow.  He has hosted TV shows in Tunisia, Croatia and Spain and made a gastronomic tour in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  His culinary field studies have also included trips to Hong Kong, Switzerland and France.  When you meet this charming chef in person, you are taken by his upbeat and positive attitude, his willingness to make your eating experience the best possible, and his showmanship as he takes such pride in matching his wine selection to the entré and desert.  In addition, he values presentation of his dishes as much as he does their quality and taste.  The Fraternity is especially proud to share one of his favorite recipes with our readers, and if you have a question, concern, or request, feel free to write him in care of this magazine.  He’s definitely one of Hungary’s greatest exports to the US cooking scene.

Somogyi sponge cake (Somogyi galuska)