Chef then, chief now

Turkey's Ugur Talayhan brings decades of experience to Tianjin's top luxury hospitality brands

Ugur Talayhan started as a chef and graduated to management roles around the world in the hospitality industry. More than two decades on, he is managing director of three Starwood hotels - the Astor Hotel, the Westin and the Sheraton - in Tianjin in northern China.

A native of Turkey, his role of chef at resorts and hotels took him to London, Portugal and Dubai. Talayhan said his experience in cooking since childhood, and knowledge he drew from his first passion, have prepared him well for his current position.