Exclusive Interview | Chef Aditya Jaimini, President - Hospitality and Product Development, Egremontz Business Solutions

“It is a journey where I am choosing the options to learn and grow professionally and personally, faith keeps me going. After years of learning, I would like to Showcase traditional Indian food on a global platform by leveraging my culinary expertise.”

— Chef Aditya Jaimini

Introduction

Chef Aditya Jamini has worked in various leadership roles and most recently being Head of Hospitality, Delhi International Airport Limited.
He is a versatile Chef and well-rounded hospitality professional. An IHM Bhopal alumni, he started his career with Taj Hotels as a Management Trainee and had consistently passionate about Indian, Mediterranean, and Italian cuisine; he progressed very fast at Taj Hotels from Chef de Partie to Sous Chef. He managed state banquets for dignitaries from George Bush to Prime Minister's house. After a decade, he moved to The Park Hotel, Parliament Street, Delhi, and soon joined Crowne Plaza, New Delhi, an upscale hotel brand of the InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG) as Pre-opening Executive Chef and progressed to Director Food & Beverage operation. One of his significant accomplishments has been Spice Art, an Indian specialty restaurant, which bagged the Times Food Award in the 'Noteworthy Newcomer' category within a few months of opening.

The restaurant has won the 'Best North Indian' restaurant in Delhi for 4 years in a row at the Times Food Award. With over 23 years of experience, he has been instrumental in establishing big F&B operations and culinary innovations. He has innovated award-winning dishes like Rabri Souffle, Kali Gajar Ka Halwa, Tawa Till Asparagus. Chef Aditya is a certified lead auditor, FSMS. Chef Aditya has been conferred with ' Chef of the Year', 2014 by the Association of Hospitality Professionals and got featured by Maryam Reshii, in her book - 'Celebrated Chefs of India'. Chef Aditya enjoys a stellar reputation in the industry and is one of the most sought-after mentors amongst universities.

Chef Aditya has hosted Food shows on Travel XP, NDTV GoodTimes and has recently launched a Food Show 'Wah Wah Kya Swad Hai' on his YouTube Channel.

Do check out his youtube on the link below
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3vQAjaPTAQrmsZ5ctNUjsA

Editor: Tell us about your journey?  How did it all start?

The journey started with a change in the plan after school where I was preparing to join a conventional professional course to become a doctor but  If I look back it was like destiny had plans for you and the door which opened was to pursue Hotel Management and then the decision to be in Chef whites as it gave me an opportunity to be creative. Maybe, it was interesting to understand the profession as more than just cooking food.  I joined the Taj Group of Hotels as a management Trainee in the year 1997 and learnt the various aspects of different cuisines and Kitchen management, spent almost 10 years at The Taj Palace New Delhi.

Then came opportunities to open a Standalone restaurant for FTv ( F Bar - 2007) and heading Kitchen operations for The Park New Delhi ( 2008-2010). There was great learning in these years which helped me to establish hotel kitchens for Food and Beverage focussed operations for IHG at the pre-opening of Crowne Plaza New Delhi Rohini as the Executive Chef (2010). The professional growth happened with a change in role to Director F&B in the coming years. Then in 2019 was chosen to lead operations for Radisson Dwarka as the Executive Assistant Manager and subsequently leading the operations as the functional leader of the Hotel.

 As I mentioned earlier, destiny has plans for every individual, so due to a personal family requirement, I had to take a break after these 22 years of active Hoteliering. There were many milestones in this journey, few to mention, serving dignitaries like U.S Presidents - George Bush, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, many other Heads of States and India's Whos who. Awarded as Chef of the Year in 2014. Recognition for my creation 'Spice Art' as the Best North Indian Restaurant in Delhi for 4 years in a row and featured amongst the  'Celebrated Chefs of India'. Active involvement in Food safety Management as a certified Lead Auditor for Food Safety as per ISO 22000 FSMS.

Editor: From hotels to aviation/service to consulting.  What's the same and what you had to learn to do differently?

Then the Next phase started with joining Delhi International Airport as the Head of Hospitality for one of the busiest airports, IGIA - New Delhi. This was a different aspect of hospitality with big volume operations and revenues of around INR 2 crores in a single day. This gave another dimension to my learning in skills and leadership. 

The operations were closely similar with aspects of constraints due to Airport security and service levels. The concessionaire management at the airport at different terminals ensure error-free performance and ensure commercial success.

With all this experience in my kitty, I started to share my knowledge and skills with Food business operators. This was shaped into a formal collaboration, with another Stalwart of Industry, Mr Deepta Gupta, and a team  of highly experienced and competent professionals with deep knowledge of Food Business operations - EGREMONTZ BUSINESS SOLUTIONS ( www.egremontz.com)

Specialized in Conceptualizing and designing, Plant set up for Indian snacks and sweets, Process automation, Indian sweets & Street food Retail outlets, Base kitchen operations, Restaurant or café operations, Hotel operations……. just anything which makes you think about food.

Editor: Love the kitchen more or the management side of things?  What did you like to cook when you did cook for guests?

  A Chef always remains a Chef at heart and preparing food always gives me satisfaction and an opportunity to showcase my thoughts and skills on a plate as an artist. As you grow in your career as a chef management is an inherent capability you need to develop and Planning, organising and controlling skills are also important in a kitchen operation.

I have specialised in European and Mediterranean cuisine in my initial years but developed an affinity for traditional Indian food, street foods of India for which I did a good amount of travel and research, and explored a wide range of Traditional Indian sweets.

I always wanted to create a wow factor when I prepared food, so it was about creating sweet memories and experiences with offerings like a Rabri fountain for lavish banquets or innovative desserts Kali Gajar Ka Halwa or Lehsun ki kheer. Improvised versions of Street food with the creation of 'Ghewar ki Chaat' or a smoked pizza with active coal always gave me pleasure.

Editor: What do you see are irrevocable changes due to the pandemic?  What does the new landscape look like?

Pandemic has completely changed the paradigm for Hospitality and Aviation sectors. The Hygiene and practices to ensure the safety of all stakeholders will be important and strict adherence is nonnegotiable. The change in the way operations have evolved in the past year is going to be strengthened with management commitment.  

The new phase which the Hospitality industry foresees is a slow process of normalization. The standalone Food and Beverage outlets should be able to make a faster comeback with hotels improving commercial operations in due course due to the restrictions. 

The landscape has seen new intervention with the growth of the food delivery market, DIY kits as some options which have developed.

Editor:  What does your personal growth look like in the coming decade?  What should we expect from Aditya?

It is a journey where I am choosing the options to learn and grow professionally and personally, faith keeps me going. After years of learning, I would like to Showcase traditional Indian food on a global platform by leveraging my culinary expertise. 

The pathway is to provide professional guidance for all the functions of Food business operations whether you have a vision of starting a new venture or want to restructure and upscale your Food offering, Processes, or competence.

 Further, assist new entrepreneurs in this field to establish a successful food business operation.

Exclusive Interview | Varun Balwani, Commercial Director, FCS Computer Systems - India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh

“Hospitality exists when you believe the other person is on your side”

— Varun Balwani

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

My love for hotels began back in 2004 after I switched from majoring in science to pursuing hotel management at the Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology (BCIHMCT), IP university. Since then, it has been an absolute pleasure being part of this industry, and I’ve never had a reason to look back. From offering cold towels at The Oberoi Vanyavilas to serving over 200 hotels within India with products by FCS, it’s been fun.

Editor: How did you choose the front office as your line of specialization and where did you spend your time in your career?

After completing my industrial training from The Oberoi Vanyavilas, I had decided to pursue the pathway of Front Office as a stepping stone into the industry. In 2007, I was fortunate to have been selected as Executive Trainee at The Imperial New Delhi. Since then, for over the next decade, I have spent valuable time growing and learning from well-recognized brands such as The Leela Kempinski, Roseate Hotels & Resorts, and Hyatt Andaz New Delhi. In fact, my last assignment as Front Office Manager was at the Hyatt Andaz New Delhi.

Editor: From soft service to software business, how did it all happen……

It all happened so quickly and I truly believe it was the call of destiny. I was floored after my interaction with our CEO Mr Yoon in Bangkok. My love for computers since an early age led me to my decision of joining FCS back in June 2018. It’s been amazing working all these years in a new vertical and it has become my mission to nudge the hotels in India towards the right direction of implementing technology to improve the way they run their operations. I have always believed that the hospitality industry is much more than the core business. The role allied partners play in the success of a hotel is huge and I can’t agree more since I have witnessed it firsthand.

Editor: Do you miss working for hotels?

Yes, of course, I do. I sometimes feel that I was born to be a hotelier and it’s very difficult to imagine working in any other industry that can offer so many new challenges thrown at you every day. However, even though I now serve the industry from a different angle, I experience interesting challenges that make every day exciting as well.

Editor: How has FCS transitioned during the pandemic with all new challenges imposed by the pandemic?

FCS has always been quick on its feet. We developed and delivered a new checklist solution within 7 days of its request to a major chain in India for its COVID-19 prevention operations. Currently, we serve over 60 hotels with that one product alone and it’s quite an achievement knowing the fact that curating a technology can take years. 

Editor: Having worked in hotels, how do you see your products helping hoteliers in day-to-day operations?

Each solution of FCS has been designed while keeping in mind the intricacies of hotel operations. With just one application in hand, a housekeeper can do all 10 out of 10 assigned tasks without having to make a single call to another associate. Similarly, a concierge can manage baggage operations without holding an errand card. We have a range of game-changing products that focus only on making the overall guest experience greater while providing a better controlled bottom line.

Editor: As a hotelier what new challenges do you foresee for hotels and how do you see them overcome the same?

Currently, the entire hotel industry has been a victim of the global pandemic. And, we are constantly adapting to the latest situation. Most of the hospitality industry is in a conservative mode including hotels, airlines, and allied industries. However, I have seen the industry overcome multiple setbacks before, and I am very sure we will come out on top. Once the post-pandemic world takes over, we will see hotels reverting back to high-traffic operations in no time. And when that time comes, we will be ready to help them get back on their feet.

Exclusive Interview | Dr. Himanshu Talwar, Additional Director, FHRAI Institute of Hospitality Management (FIHM) , Assistant Secretary General, FHRAI

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

It all started with my first job with an industry association in the year 2007 wherein I decided to follow the principle of continuous learning, relearning, and re-skilling myself throughout the upcoming professional career. Following which, after having acquired Masters in Business Administration (MBA), I studied Philosophy, Law and, attended Executive Management Program-me (s) at Said Business School (SBS), The University of Oxford, Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Calcutta, and Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Bangalore. Thereafter I did Doctorate and D. Litt (H.C.) in Business Management. I pursued all these degree programs while working for industry associations, international organizations, foreign governments, and while doing consulting assignments in India and abroad. Luckily, I got the opportunity to work for FHRAI after I moved back to India post completing an international assignment in 2019. Since then I am doing my best in terms of Policy Advocacy, Content Development, Education, Training programs, Webinars, etc for the hospitality fraternity.

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

Although, from the outside, Hospitality seems like an industry where the major role is of finances, which is actually true to some extent; however, conceptualization and ideation I believe plays a crucial role and have always been the deciding factor in the success of any establishment, be it a hotel or restaurant. Various concepts introduced, implemented, and successfully executed across the globe and in India have drawn guests/ customers to these establishments to enjoy the best of the best service, stays, and delicacies offered!  

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

‘Hard work and ‘Dedication’ are I believe a must for someone whom I would select or hire to be a team member. Also, an individual must take a collaborative approach to succeed in the hospitality industry. Along with that, any enthusiast who follows the policy of ‘’Passion with Profession” which I keenly believe in, would be an asset to the organization.

Editor: What is the single factor that got you your promotion?

I am sincerely grateful to FHRAI for bestowing upon the responsibility as Additional Director at FHRAI – IHM. Indeed, a moment of pride to support the hospitality fraternity from the perspective of policy at FHRAI and education at FHRAI - IHM. In the year 2020, when the entire country was under lockdown and hospitality establishments were shut, following the directions of FHRAI – IHM Management, I organized FSSAI initiated COVID Awareness Training Programmes through FOSTAC. Being the in-charge of the project, and with the support of the entire team, I mobilized the industry professionals and engaged them to attend the training programs mentored by FHRAI’s National Advisor. Around 50 such sessions were organized whereby more than 4000 people were trained. The success of this particular project made FHRAI management believe that I could be a valuable addition to the IHM and hence I believe I got elevated to handle the additional responsibility.

Editor: Tech is now an enabler for great hospitality. Can you share with us some of the techs that go into creating your guest experience? 

Hotels have invested hugely in technology to sustain the inflow of people and in turn, revenue. Automated entry systems, technology-based sanitization, automatic light systems, cleaning robots, and other such advanced technological measures have been installed and fully functional in every corner of the country. This has ensured a touch-free experience and interaction. All social distancing norms are being followed by the hotels too, especially in gyms, and other communal facilities. Following all of these measures have given the public a sense of assurance and the fear has started dissolving. The technological innovations are also taken up by restaurants that can afford to invest in them. Slowly and steadily, the hospitality sector is coming back to normal however this time with a safer and more hygienic experience.

Editor: Two things you would like to change in the industry.

Firstly, the hospitality industry should focus on widening the Wellness, MICE, Business, Adventure, Culinary, Cultural, Spiritual, Eco, Fashion, Film, Rural and Medical tourism market by working on offering the best of the customized packages and world-class facilities across all spectrums. Secondly, it should be the goal of every individual and establishment engaged in the Hospitality sector, going by the history and philosophy of our country - 'Atithi Devo Bhava', to focus upon rebuilding the image of the country post-COVID so that we as a country must be contemplated as a respectful and reliable nation by both domestic and international tourists. The industry should assure & re-assure the travelers that the country is ready and will provide a sustainable experience to every individual and guest honestly and transparently. The world needs sustainability now more than ever and the Indian hospitality industry must incorporate it in and promote it through tourism.

Editor: What is the one lesson you think we should learn from the pandemic?

Pandemic has taught us to rethink & redefine the hospitality business with an out-of-the-box approach, where all the new ways of doing business are planned & executed strategically. Entrepreneurs engaged in hospitality must understand that if the changes introduced in the businesses, due to pandemic, has brought some uncertainties; then parallelly it had offered us numerous other ways to grow and excel. The industry must now plan with prudence, reengineer the processes in a technologically different way, and be ready with more reliable and trustworthy business practices being offered by the fraternity. 

Recently Dr.Talwar Received Best International Speaker and Author of the year Award