| Rainer Becker | |
| Birth Date: | 1 May 1961 |
| Birth Place: | Bernkastel-Kues, West Germany |
| Citizenship: | German |
| Occupation: | Restaurateur and chef |
| Children: | 2 |
Rainer Becker (born 1 May 1961) is a German chef & restaurateur. He is the co-founder of Azumi Restaurant Group and creator of all the brands - Zuma, Roka, Oblix and Inko Nito. Becker's restaurants are known for their Japanese cuisine, with flavours adapted for the Western palate.[1] [2]
Rainer Becker was born and raised in Bernkastel-Kues, Germany. He began his culinary journey while he was a child, observing his mother cook meals for the family. Becker had trained at the Goethehaus in Bensberg and Koenigshop in Munich.[3]
After his training, he joined the Hyatt Hotels Corporation in Cologne where he was Chef de Cuisine.[4] In 1992, Becker had his breakthrough when he was appointed Executive Chef of Park Hyatt Sydney.[5] During his tenure, which spanned two years, Becker was recognized by the media earning the title of Executive Caterer of the Year. Subsequently after his time in Australia, he assumed the role of Executive Chef at the Park Hyatt Tokyo in 1994, where he oversaw the launch and operation of all the restaurants in the hotel. In 1998, Becker relocated to London where he served as the executive chef for the Hyatt Carlton Tower hotel.[6]
In 2001, a chance meeting at a barber-shop led Becker to be introduced to investor Arjun Waney, with whom he would launch his first restaurant- Zuma. Zuma opened in Knightsbridge in the summer of 2002. Zuma was also the first restaurant outside of Japan to showcase open-fire cooking over a Robata grill.[7] Its success led to its expansion in many cities internationally.[8] In 2004, Becker introduced a second brand, Roka & Shochu Lounge, capitalising on the popularity of the Robata cooking. And in 2013, he also launched Oblix at The Shard. Inko Nito followed 5 years later.[9]
In 2004, Harpers and Moet named him Chef of the Year in 2004. He was also ranked 45th in The Caterer's top 100 list of the most powerful people in hospitality in 2012.[10]
By July 2024, Becker opened over 35 restaurants globally within the Azumi portfolio with locations in London, Hong Kong, Miami, Dubai, Maldives, Rome, Madrid, Capri, Bodrum, Porto Cervo, Las Vegas, Boston, New York, Bangkok, Cannes, Ibiza and Mykonos.[11]