Gautam Kalidin, “Chef Tom,” was born in the Fiji Islands. The oldest of three brothers and three sisters, Chef Tom started his first job in the kitchen at the age of 13. He was a galley boy in the Grand Pacific Hotel and spent much of his time peeling potatoes. He learned very quickly from the start how to work quickly—the executive chef would kick him if he wasn’t peeling potatoes quickly enough!
Chef Tom spent the next few years working at different hotels on the Fiji Islands before moving to San Francisco at the age of 22. He continued working for various hotels in San Francisco until he settled at the Hyatt Regency with Executive Chef David Bidwell. Chef Bidwell would be his greatest teacher. He told Chef Tom all recipes would be memorized, nothing could be written down or Tom would be fired. Chef Bidwell taught him ice carving (Chef Tom can carve over 35 different ice sculptures).
After eight years of working together, Chef Bidwell retired, and Chef Tom became the executive Chef of the hotel. He created his own menus, dishes, hosted numerous banquets and more in his role as executive chef. The hotel had 950 bedrooms and three kitchens.
In 1990, Chef Tom and his wife moved to Portland because of a job transfer she received. He continued to work for different hotels. In 1997, Chef Tom began working for a senior living community owned by Holiday Corporation, who not only owns hotels but also owns senior living communities. Over two years ago, Chef Tom joined the team at Miramont Pointe.
Chef Tom and his wife have two children, a daughter and a son. He travels to the Fiji Islands routinely to visit his family, and he recently donated 1 ½ acre of his father’s estate to the crippled and blind children’s society in Fiji. Chef Tom said he has always loved to eat, and he has always loved to cook. Tom feels it is an art to create dishes. His favorite dish to prepare is a Polynesian dish, kukunda. He and his wife only eat out once a year, on her birthday! Chef Tom’s ancestors are from India, and he is a Hindu devoted to God and his culture.
Chef Tom started hosting “Cooking with Tom” over two years ago. Originally, it started as a cooking demonstration to help seniors prepare easy but nutritious meals, since it can be difficult to cook nutritiously for one or two people. It quickly grew into one of our most popular events! We have 25 to 40 guests who attend. The cooking demonstration is hosted by Chef Tom monthly, and the recipes have varied with everything from fish to chicken to pork dishes. It is also a wonderful event because it gives prospective residents a chance to experience our dining program and Chef Tom’s cooking style before moving in.
