Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at Hangzhou Centre

Four Seasons Tenure

• Since 2010
• First Four Seasons Assignment: Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake

Employment History

• Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake
  

Birthplace

• Xinyang, China

Languages Spoken

• Mandarin

Neal Zeng, the Executive Chinese Chef of Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at Hangzhou Centre, is widely recognized in the culinary world for his outstanding skills and extensive experience with luxury brand hotels. A master chef mentored at Jin Sha restaurant, Chef Neal supported the team in achieving both a Michelin star and the prestigious Black Pearl three-diamond award during his 14-year tenure at Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake, showcasing not only his culinary prowess but also his unique vision for fine dining.

Now at Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at Hangzhou Centre, Chef Neal brings a deep understanding of the Four Seasons and a passion for cuisine. He brings the essence of Ningbo flavours to the restaurant, offering each diner a fresh gastronomic experience. A true gourmet, his dedication goes beyond the kitchen as he explores the city’s culinary landscape. In his free time, he enjoys motorcycling through Hangzhou’s streets, discovering local flavours, and watching food documentaries, constantly expanding his culinary knowledge and sources of inspiration. His passion for gastronomy has only grown over the past decade, with each day sparking new ideas.

Within the broad field of Jiangsu-Zhejiang cuisine, Chef Neal has a particular love for Ningbo cuisine. His profound understanding of its traditional flavours ensures each of his dishes has a distinct charm. Among his signature dishes, Ningbo Marinated Crab stands out. This dish differs from the traditional marinated crab by carefully removing the crab’s gills, heart, and stomach, then cutting each crab leg into eight parts to retain rich crab roe in every piece. Marinated in a special sauce and served chilled, it offers a delicate, smooth, and subtly sweet flavour. He also recommends Braised Pork with Seaweed, a dish featuring high-quality pork braised slowly to achieve a sweet yet not overly rich taste, with the addition of seaweed creating a unique flavour profile that exemplifies his skillful blend of tradition and innovation.

Upholding the principle of “the essence of an ingredient is best revealed when it is in season,” Chef Neal is dedicated to showcasing the finest flavours of each ingredient through his dishes. His goal is to bring an unparalleled dining experience to the centre of Hangzhou, allowing each guest to savour the unique charm of Ningbo flavours and the endless possibilities of fine dining.