NOTEBOOK
Inside the Kitchen: How Executive Chef Zaid Khan fuels the world's fastest marathoners
Zaid Khan is the Executive Chef of the OAK Long Bar + Kitchen, located in the Fairmont Copley Plaza just steps from the Boston Marathon finish line. In his own words, here's how Chef Khan prepares for a busy race weekend
What goes through your mind, knowing you're cooking for some of the fastest distance runners in the world?
Well, the first thought that goes through my mind is carbs!!! All jokes aside, we take great pride in providing fuel for literally the best runners in the world, to compete in the greatest marathon in the world, in the best sports city in the world. We understand the honor and privilege it is to be the host hotel for the elite athletes, and will do everything in our power not only as culinarians but as an entire hotel to make our athletes feel at home.
What goes into a daily lunch or dinner? What's your thought process in prepping the menu and interacting with the athletes?
We work closely with our partners at the B.A.A. to ensure there is a balance of a wide variety of carbohydrates and lean proteins. Fat-free sauces and condiments are a must, as is the omission of heavy fats and creams, and all
alcohol. The challenge is to make the food interesting, delicious and nutritious. There are also some cultural considerations we must make as a team, and source unique offerings such as Injera bread (native to Ethiopia, Eritrea and Sudan) and Chapati bread (native to the Asian subcontinent, East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula). Post-race, there is also need to refuel, and we will produce over 300 liters of chicken broth which the runners will consume. Knowing that our fuel propelled the best athletes in world to perform at their best is inspiration enough. Would love to propel a world record one day, who knows?
Do you have a favorite dish to make around the marathon?
Returning once again in OAK Long Bar + Kitchen by popular demand is our famous Short Rib Bolognese. It's turning into somewhat of a cult classic. We have sold out two years running!
BOSTON by the Numbers
- 30,000 Entrants |
- 10,000 Volunteers |
- 50 U.S. States |
- 116 Countries |
15,340 athletes will be running their first race in Boston
MARK BAUMAN 53 YEARS: Longest active Men’s Boston Marathon finish streak (5:54:40 last year)
PATTY HUNG 36 YEARS: Longest active Women’s Boston Marathon finish streak (5:08:03 last year)
- 18 years, 20 days: Youngest Entrant (Grant Drinkwater of Massachusetts)
- 84 years, 4 months, 7 days: Oldest Entrant (Robert Holliday of Florida)
$40 million ESTIMATED TO BE RAISED FOR CHARITY
$200 million+ ESTIMATED ECONOMIC IMPACT ON GREATER BOSTON COMMUNITY
