Wilhelm Dilger Obituary

WILHELM WILLI DILGER Honolulu, 2023 - Wilhelm "Willi" Dilger, 95, died after a short illness on October 23 at Straub Medical Center. Chef Dilger was born on March 8, 1928 in Kaiserslautern, Germany. After attending school, followed by a culinary arts school, he also worked as an apprentice in a renowned hotel. Subsequently, he attended the Hotel School Bad Reichenhall in Germany. Over the years, Chef Dilger held several cooking positions until he moved to Switzerland in 1953 furthering his professional experience in fine hotels and restaurants for the next ten years. Returning to Munich, Chef Dilger studied for the prestiges Meister Brief (Master Chef) which he passed with flying colors. Shortly thereafter, he was offered the position as Executive Sous-Chef of the opening of the Teheran Hilton Hotel in 1962. While in Persia, he enjoyed visiting the Shiraz Gardens and adapting to a new culture. In 1964, Chef Dilger was transferred to the Tokyo Hilton where he spent the next three years. In 1967, Chef Dilger was offered the position as an Executive Chef for the soon to open Hilton Hotel in Manila. The glamorous opening was attended by notables such as Baron Hilton, President Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos. During his years in Manila, Wilhelm did many special functions at the Malacanang Palace for the Marcos' in 1970. He was recruited for the opening of the Hyatt Regency in Singapore having a full plate of responsibilities. Wilhelm also traveled to Acapulco where he helped out with the opening of the Hyatt Acapulco for three months. Colgate Holmes, then opening General Manager of the Hilton in Manila, moved to Honolulu taking over the Management of the Ala Moana Hotel and asked Willi to join him in 1972. Chef Dilger stayed with the Ala Moana Hotel for the next thirteen years. He was instrumental for the success of the annual Oktoberfest, featuring the wonderful Bavarian food, complemented by the music of the Edelweiss Band. When Sheraton took over the Great Wall Hotel in Beijing, Chef Dilger was asked to head the kitchens, where he stayed for the next three years. In this challenging position, he also met Chinese President Li Peng among many other dignitaries. Sheraton transferred Chef Dilger to the El Gezirah Sheraton in Cairo, where he stayed for one year before taking over the Executive Chef position in 1990 at the Sheraton Waikiki. In 1993 his "Wanderlust" took him back to Chengdu, China for the opening of the Dynasty Hotel, followed in 1994 by the opening of the New Dynasty Tower and revolving restaurant in Tsingtao. Still not retiring, Chef Dilger took on another challenge in 1995 with the opening of the Singapore Hotel and Entertainment center in Harbin, China. Finally, Chef Dilger hung up the apron for good and moved back to Honolulu for a well deserved retirement in 1998, where he had many friends. Chef Dilger was an excellent Rotisseur (roasting meats) and his sauces were very flavorful! However, he never neglected well prepared vegetables. Many years later, he would still refer to "Shiraz Garden Vegetables" in special menus to reminiscing from his Persian days. He was a member of the Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs and Les Amis d' Escoffier Society. A celebration of life and scattering of the ashes will be on January 15, 2024 off Diamond Head. contact:[email protected]. Arrangements Provided By: Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary LLC