A Chef's life involves much more than the culinary arts

If you think that an Executive chef’s life is full of cooking day in and day out, you may be surprised to learn what a typical day for a chef is actually like.

I am Sameer Shah, a Chef by accident.

In the past 19 years I have worked for the best Indian Hotel companies like Leela, Oberoi and Taj.

Who is an Executive Chef?

An Executive Chef

is a trained and skilled professional cook. He/she is responsible for making sure that all the food that reaches every single guest are as per the standard recipe, hygienically prepared and served on time.
maintains his/her passion for cooking and endlessly repeats the act every single day.
believes in building a winning, mutually respectful environment between the front and back of the house, resulting in higher guest satisfaction, improved productivity and associate longevity.

infographic executive chef taj sameer shah career path after 12th — Career Path of Sameer

What did you want to be when you were in higher secondary school?

My childhood dream was to join Indian Army.

To become a chef was totally not my dream.

I don’t remember stepping into my mother’s or grandmother’s kitchen ever in my childhood.

Things changed when I joined Hotel Management after higher secondary. It was during that time I discovered my flair and skills for cooking and since then it has been beautiful and exciting years though there were hectic and stressful times.

What is your typical day like?

If you think that an Executive chef’s life is full of cooking day in and day out, you may be surprised to learn what a typical day for a chef is actually like.

Although a person who holds the job title of “cook” probably does spend most of each day simply cooking, a chef’s life involves much more than the culinary arts.

An Executive chef is a part-time personnel manager, business manager, public relations specialist and special events coordinator.

I am responsible for running the Food Production department of the hotel.
It’s definitely not “Hell’s Kitchen”. Its fun, its engaging and we believe in dazzle and delighting all our guest.

How did you become who you are today?

Its simple and complicated at the same time.

Take good care of your team (keep them engaged and motivated).
All the processes need to be in place (no short cuts).
Take good care of all the Guests (Dazzle & Delight them).
Be a business leader (bottom line of any business to make sustainable profits).

What did you learn about the career after you started your career?

A career as a chef is extremely demanding.

One should be ready to be innovative. If you don’t try to come up with a new recipe, you cannot excel in this field. So keep yourself aware and about the food trends.

What’s your advice to your younger self?

Be physically fit, take care of your diet and find time to exercise daily.

What do you love about your current role?

Stability
Decent salary
Perks like- Associate Holiday Plan (Free room nights in any of the Taj hotels worldwide)
More over the pleasure and perfection

What are the challenges you face in your career?

The biggest challenge is to stay updated with the latest food trends across the globe, especially when the 70% of the guests are foreign nationals.

What type of Chefs will be high in demand in the near future?

Chefs who are always open and receptive to suggestions, willing to innovate and at times modulate the product as per the requirements of the guest.

Can you please summarise your career journey?

Diploma – IHM, Bengaluru

In past 19 years I have worked for the best Indian Hotel companies like Leela, Oberoi and Taj.

I started my career with Leela Mumbai and worked there for 4 years.
Then with Oberoi Towers – Frangipani for 3 years.
My journey with Taj started in 2004 – Taj Lands End, where I got an opportunity to open VISTA.
In 2006 (at an age of 29 years) I moved as Executive chef to beautiful Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur.
In 2012, I moved to the prestigious Rambagh Palace, Jaipur.

What are the skills required to be a Chef in 2020?

Physical fitness, good communication skills and flair for cooking.

How do you like to spend your free time?

My family is my best friend. So after work is over, rest of the time is only for family and nothing else.

What are some alternate career options for a Hotel Management Graduate?

Airlines
Cruise Liners
Service Industry
Catering companies
Sales and marketing

What does Hotel Management really means?

Hotel management refers to professional management techniques used in the hospitality sector.

These includes hotel administration, marketing, housekeeping, front office or front of house, food and beverage management, catering and maintenance.

The hotel industry focuses strongly and heavily on customers, which means you must be able to demonstrate a genuine interest in providing excellent customer service.

It is a social business too, so you need to be friendly, outgoing and have good networking skills.

These qualities are also very much in demand in other sectors which open new avenues for the hotel management students to make their career in other sectors in case they don’t want to pursue their career in hotels.

How can I check my interest in becoming a Chef before investing time on the same?

It’s not really difficult now with all the food related TV shows (specially TLC and Master chef and many more).

I actually discovered my passion for cooking after joining hotel management school.

Any recommended resources students who are interested in becoming a Chef?

What do you think everyone leaving higher secondary school should know especially those who want to be a Chef?

Chefs usually work long hours, up to 12- 14 hours a day, 6 days a week.

They are expected to work when the restaurant is busy, which is usually evenings, weekends, and holidays. Working in a kitchen means being on your feet, in intense heat and stressful conditions, for long stretches of time.

Any final thoughts or message?

Chef Thomas Keller –

A recipe has no soul, we as a cook must bring soul to every recipe.

You can follow Sameer Shah on Instagram.