Exclusive Interview | Rajeev Kumar, Executive Chef, Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal

Rajeev Kumar

To achieve success as a Chef, it's essential to keep your passion alive and wholeheartedly pursue what you love. The culinary world is demanding and requires not only technical skills but also a genuine enthusiasm for the art of cooking. Additionally, a few mandatory attributes include dedication, continuous learning, and an unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional flavours.

How did it all start? Share your culinary journey with us.

I started my journey at the prestigious Mahindra Management Institute, where I developed a passion for the hospitality industry. I started my career with the Luxury Collection Hotels of Marriott International, Hyatt, and Mahindra, where I contributed significantly to their prestige. Venturing into pre-opening roles at The Lalit Mumbai and The Westin Goa where I showcased my strategic acumen. At The Lalit Mumbai, I upheld the brand's high standards with my culinary expertise and my commitment to excellence. At The Westin Goa, I played a key role in the successful launch of the property. Currently, I am working as the Executive Chef at Courtyard By Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal and I am very excited about where my journey takes me.

What are your earliest memories of the kitchens you worked in?

My earliest kitchen memories were a blend of enticing aromas, sizzling pans, and the lively buzz of culinary activity. It was a time of excitement, learning, and camaraderie, laying the foundation for my journey as an Executive Chef. These experiences shaped my skills and instilled a deep appreciation for the collaborative artistry of the kitchen.

A dish your patrons/guests love.

Our patrons love the meticulously curated Australian Lamb Shank, which is one of my finest works.

A dish that you love but do not have on your menu.

The Sous Vide Halibut Fish with Beurre Blanc Sauce is the dish I would like to incorporate to our menu

What according to you does it take to become a successful chef?

To achieve success as a Chef, it's essential to keep your passion alive and wholeheartedly pursue what you love. The culinary world is demanding and requires not only technical skills but also a genuine enthusiasm for the art of cooking. Additionally, a few mandatory attributes include dedication, continuous learning, and an unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional flavors are the keys to carving a successful path in the culinary industry. So, embrace your love for cooking, stay passionate, and let it fuel your journey towards becoming a successful chef.

What advice would you give to a young culinary student?

My advice to a young culinary student would be to prioritize mastering the fundamentals of being a good chef. A solid foundation in basic skills not only forms the cornerstone of your culinary expertise but also serves as the stepping stone to higher roles in the future. Embrace the basics, as they are the building blocks that will elevate your culinary journey and open doors to greater opportunities in the culinary world.

What instruments/ equipment/devices you cannot imagine working without?

As an Executive Chef, certain instruments, equipment, and devices are indispensable to the seamless functioning of the kitchen. Foremost among these is a reliable set of high-quality knives, an extension of my culinary expertise. Moreover, precision-controlled cooking equipment, such as sous-vide machines and induction cookers, play a pivotal role in achieving consistent and exceptional results. The reliance on technologically advanced kitchen gadgets, like temperature probes and digital timers, ensures accuracy in cooking processes. Ultimately, a well-equipped kitchen not only enhances efficiency but also empowers me to bring creativity and precision to every culinary creation.

Your favorite ingredient is.

One of my all-time favorite ingredients would be Staranise.

Name chefs, you find amazing or chefs' work you admire.

I admire the culinary artistry of Chef Himanshu Taneja. 

What books should every chef read?

Every aspiring chef must read The French Laundry by Michael Ruhlman, Susie Heller, and Thomas Keller.

Exclusive Interview | Suman Nanaiah, AVP-Operations Royal Orchid Metropole

Hospitality as an industry demands you to be on toes all throughout. The three most important things to succeed in my experience is Integrity,  goal-setting and employee motivation. Servicing customers comes with a lot of responsibility and their satisfaction is our top most priority. 

Suman Nanaiah, AVP-Operations Royal Orchid Metropole

Tell us about your journey. How did it all start?

Growing up in a family of coffee planters in Coorg I had the opportunity to be a part of the hospitality sector since the very beginning. Tourists and travellers from around the country would come to visit the beautiful western ghats which allowed me to embrace hospitality early on as a part of the culture. The exposure also helped me build a successful career in the industry as I knew the etiquettes of hosting guests offering them a comfortable and experiential stay. 

What do you think it takes to succeed in this industry?

Hospitality as an industry demands you to be on toes all throughout. The three most important things to succeed in my experience is Integrity,  goal-setting and employee motivation. Servicing customers comes with a lot of responsibility and their satisfaction is our top most priority. 

What are the attributes you look for while selecting or hiring?  If someone wants to work with you, what should they do?

I am myself a very dedicated and a sincere individual and therefore I look forward to working with people who are excited about their work. During interviews my criteria of selection is always looking for candidates who want to grow in the industry and learn something new every day. Candidates who are enthusiastic about their work will always deliver the best results and having a positive attitude towards life gives a person immense positivity. 

What advice would you give to a young, aspiring hotelier for their internship?

My advice to all young aspiring individual who want to start a career in hospitality is, develop excellent communication skills, be soft spoken. Work hard and always enter the room with a positive outlook. Make sure to be a leader in whatever you do and it can take you places. Always priorities your work and sincerely perform your duties the best in your capacity with a proactive approach and you will never have to look back. 

What is the single factor that got you your promotion?

I would say wwnership & performance. 

 What are some of the trends you see impacting the hospitality industry?

Consumer preferences are evolving to prioritize experiences over material possessions, sustainability practices, personalized services, and technology integration.

What tech would you like to see in operations? What operational problems need tech solutions?

Technology is an integral part of all industries now and hospitality is no different. Something that I personally look forward to now is tech integration to enhance communication between the staff and customers for a seamless transaction. 

What is the one tech/app/software feature you would like to see?  This could be for guests, operations, etc.

More focus on Virtual reality & Automated Text Messaging is definitely a feature that I believe I would like to experience more. It will also help the industry keep up with trends. 

Two things you would like to change in the industry.

There is a lot for scope for more women to enter the hospitality industry and we should definitely empower more women with opportunities. The second would be gender discrimination, while hospitality as an industry is very welcoming and warm it is time we start respecting women the same way we do with men without any discrimination or bias of any form. 

What is your favourite question for a candidate interview and why?

I always ask all candidates about their dreams and how do they plan to pursue them because it gives a lot insights about a candidates personality. It tells how passionate and ambitious they are in life and those are the qualities that reflect in workplaces. 

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Exclusive interview | Vikas Nagar, Hotel Manager, Pilibhit House, Haridwar - IHCL SeleQtions

Every great story begins with a dream and the courage to pursue it.

Mr. Vikas Nagar Hotel Manager, Pilibhit House, Haridwar

Tell us about your journey. How did it all start?

Every great story begins with a dream and the courage to pursue it. Despite the initial challenges, these experiences teach us valuable lessons and help us to grow. Starting small doesn't limit our potential for success. With passion and hard work, we can achieve our goals and become leaders in our industry. Learning from scratch and overcoming obstacles are all part of the journey to success.

In 2005, I commenced my journey as an Operations Trainee at The Grand in New Delhi. Later, in 2008, I joined Ambassador-IHCL SeleQtions in the same city, where I grew from a Captain to a Restaurant Manager and eventually to the Food & Beverage Manager at Taj Ganges, Varanasi. After successfully leading the Food & Beverage team, I was promoted to the Operations Manager of the hotel. Before joining Pilibhit House, Haridwar- IHCL SeleQtions, I worked at the Taj Ganges and Taj Nadesar Palace, Varanasi.

With my IHCL values, leadership guidance, hard work, and determination, I climbed the position to become the Hotel Manager at Pilibhit House, Haridwar- IHCL SeleQtions. Along the way, I was fortunate to learn from some of the most prominent leaders in the industry, which gave me valuable insights and lessons that helped me achieve my goals and reach new heights. I've realized that teamwork and support are essential in overcoming challenges in the hotel industry. Together, we can achieve great things.

What do you think it takes to succeed in this industry? 

In the hospitality industry, success requires a combination of values, work ethics, passion, adaptability, and a commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences. It's a dynamic and ever-evolving industry, so we must stay ahead of the trends, anticipate guest needs, and continuously innovate. Building a strong team and fostering a positive work culture are also crucial factors. By empowering and nurturing our team members, we create an environment where they can thrive and provide outstanding service. Lastly, a customer-centric approach and a relentless pursuit of excellence are vital. At IHCL, we believe that every guest interaction is an opportunity to exceed expectations and create lasting impressions. Let's strive for Tajness and make every guest feel valued and special.

What are the attributes you look for while selecting or hiring? If someone wants to work with you, what should they do?

When it comes to selecting or hiring individuals, we take pride in our ability to identify a perfect combination of skills, experience, and personal attributes. While technical skills are undoubtedly critical for specific roles, we also prioritize essential qualities such as passion, professionalism, a positive attitude, strong communication skills, and a genuine commitment to delivering exceptional service. We look for individuals who are team players, adaptable, and demonstrate a robust work ethic, as we are confident that these traits are essential for success in any role.

What advice would you give to a young, aspiring hotelier for their internship?

For a successful internship, it is important to adapt to the company's values, embrace a learning mindset, build strong rapport, strive for excellence, be adaptable, seek feedback, and remember your goal of building a successful career in hospitality.

What is the single factor that got you your promotion?

Based on my experience, getting a promotion generally depends on various factors such as your performance, leadership skills, dedication, work ethic, ability to exceed expectations consistently, taking on extra responsibilities, having strong problem-solving abilities, and positively contributing towards the goals of the organization. I strongly believe in the mantra "Stay Focused" to achieve success.

What are some of the trends you see impacting the hospitality industry?

Hotels are adapting to evolving guest needs with trends such as technology integration, sustainability, personalized and experiential travel, wellness travel, and social media influence. These trends drive innovation and unique offerings in a competitive marketplace.

What tech would you like to see in operations? What operational problems need tech solutions?

Hotels can revolutionize their operations and enhance their guests' experiences by embracing technology. With the right technological solutions, hotels can streamline operations, provide personalized experiences, make data-driven decisions, optimize revenue, and ensure the safety and security of their guests and staff. By embracing innovative technology, hotels can unlock their full potential and create unforgettable experiences for their guests.

What is the one tech/app/software feature you would like to see? This could be for guests, operations, etc.

AI-powered facial recognition systems improve hotel operations through streamlined check-in, enhanced security, and a seamless guest experience. Additionally, AI is increasingly used in revenue management systems to optimize pricing strategies, leading to higher revenue and profitability for hotels.

Two things you would like to change in the industry. 

The hospitality industry is on the brink of transformation, driven by a growing movement towards sustainability and inclusivity. By reducing carbon footprints, minimizing waste, conserving resources, and promoting responsible tourism, we can create a more sustainable future for our stakeholders and the world around us. By promoting diversity in hiring, creating inclusive work environments, and embracing cultural diversity, we can foster innovation, enhance guest experiences, and contribute to a more equitable and harmonious society. Together, we have the power to make a positive impact and create a brighter future for all.

What is your favorite question for a candidate interview and why?

My favourite question will be How do you balance work and life? This question is an opportunity to evaluate awareness, adaptability, accountability, and communication abilities. See their response and gain valuable insights to manage your work-life balance with more ease and confidence.