In pursuit of a holistic approach to dining, the year 2024 will witness a surge in the popularity of balanced meals. The concept of Thalis, featuring a diverse array of nutrients, will transcend specific cuisines, becoming a prevalent trend.
In a conversation with Hospemag, Gaurav Bhardwaj, the proprietor of BENO, a distinctive breakfast café-bar located in Benaulim, a coastal village in South Goa, reveals insights into his careful curation of India’s largest gin bar at BENO. He discusses the process of putting together and showcasing the various gin brands at the bar, the uniqueness of the breakfast café-bar concept, the diverse menu and how these factors position BENO as a formidable player in Goa’s culinary scene.
Homemade and handpicked ingredients have become our identity in the process of balancing healthy options and top-notch taste. We prioritize quality ingredients, culinary innovation, and a cozy cafe ambiance.
Arjun Waney and Danny Meyer, I admire them the most. Arjun and Danny are more than just restaurateurs – they’re architects of experiences.
Having a diverse range of employees is one common factor in our company yet we stand no discrimination or bias against any. Everyone is equally treated from HODs to Front desk executives, female staff members, or any individual working with us is merely appointed on the basis of their credibility.
The future of hotel revenue management hinges on data driven strategies, personalization, automation, and advanced analytics will undoubtedly shape the industry. Hotels that harness the potential of these trends will not only optimize revenue streams but also elevate guest experiences.
Remember all employees names by heart and address them by name whether you are a GM/VP/CEO. People are important Assets.
My favourite interview question is, "If you could design an immersive guest experience that truly embodies the essence of India, what would it entail?" This question allows candidates to showcase their creativity, cultural understanding, and alignment with our vision.
AI is set to transform how we experience hotels, restaurants, and every aspect of the hospitality industry. From personalized customer service to streamlined operations, AI is poised to take guest experiences to a whole new level.
As I look towards the future, I’m driven by the desire to continue leveraging my skills and experiences to drive the success of Spectra, as well as to mentor the next generation of hospitality professionals.
The gaming and entertainment industry in India appears to have a promising future, given the rapid increase in demand for leisure travel and tourism, with casinos playing a critical role in this fabric. Deltin is well-positioned to capitalise on these market shifts.
What is the one app / tech solution you would love to see?
On the lighter side, an app which will help in identifying a discount seeker or a guest who complains a lot.
When it comes to hotels as brands, I’ve learned that the Super 8, Ibis, and Treebo is somebody’s Ritz-Carlton, Raffles or Four Seasons.
Starting from humble beginnings, I have learned invaluable lessons, overcome challenges, and leveraged opportunities to build a thriving career in the hospitality industry.
The hospitality industry is one that is constantly evolving and innovating. It becomes important for us to be able to adapt to these current trends and create good experiences for our patrons.
An ideal Hotel Professional to me is the one who has the below 5 P attributes:
Be Positive
Be Present
Be Prompt
Be Passionate
Be Product Centric
As someone with extensive experience in the industry, I have identified five essential skills that I believe will be particularly important moving forward to provide exceptional service and create memorable experiences for their guests.
Technology proficiency
Cultural intelligence
Emotional intelligence
Sustainability awareness
Creativity and innovation
By developing these skills, hospitality professionals can position themselves for success in the rapidly changing landscape of the industry.
We noticed there wasn’t anyone in the market providing end-to- end F&B consulting, like a mall where you can go and shop everything under one roof, and that’s when CYK was born and integrated every category from conceptualisation to execution.
Food is the way to Indian hearts and we wanted to build an “upliance” that solves the most asked question in every Indian Household, a version of “What to eat today?”
Launching something new is exciting because it’s like a clean canvas on which you can give your vision shape and physicality and turn it into a reality. Hospitality projects require a lot of hard work to shape a vision into reality, and it’s a creative process.
The fact is that hospitality and real estate projects have a long gestation cycle, but they are also generational assets that keep giving you returns over many decades. So yes, they are exciting because we do like to think long-term.
What is one software you would like to see?
A software which can give an insight into each recipe, from calculating the calories, protein, carbohydrates etc, to analysing the effect of each ingredient and giving a deeper understanding of the benefits and health hazards.
Whatever you do, look at it as a calling and a purpose and not as a job.
Be consistent, even passion gets lost after a point.
Have a strong moral compass, if the compass doesn’t point true north you end up cheating yourself.
The future of the hospitality industry is looking very bright and promising. Hotels can look forward to a robust demand.
Remain sincere in your approach, love what you do, and be passionate in your attitude, and you will surely be successful-Deepak Behl
“You need to think like an artist and work like an army officer.” To Get Success in Hospitality.-Saurabh Gahoi
Make the most of your internship by being proactive and getting involved in as many aspects of the hotel as possible -Naval Shekhawat
An aspiring hotelier should be experimental while conceptualizing properties in order to create something unique from the existing ones-Deepak Agarwal
Go for everything, learn about every department and then find out where you didn’t feel as if you were working. That will be your future calling.- Mr.Sarbendra Sarkar