Having travelled and cruised and seen many horizons at such a young and progressive age. Tushar Bhatt, General Manager, Hard Rock Café, Pune at such a young age is so hard to believe. Tushar has been a chef for eleven years. He started off as a chef in Taj Air Kitchen and then travelling overseas to explore better opportunities, working for an international cruise and many catering restaurants. Tushar’s creative juice ran so high at the age of seventeen and his tender but strong mind all set to be a chef. He never believed in regular jobs and nine to five seemed so distanced. “Chefs have a status in hospitability industry”, says Tushar. He always prefers pre-openings to an established set up, as it sets a complete opportunity to layout systems, equipments, contracts, menu planning, kitchen layouts and much more. Having ability and an expert in Indian and continental food, he has been a great asset to Hard Rock Café. Having worked in JW Marriott and Taj with proven experience in hardcore practical training his experience stands tall as a youngest chef. Working with Taj Flight Kitchen and providing catering for thousands of people, has helped him a lot for international catering success. We had an informal talk with Tushar; here is what he has to say…….
Tushar and his home town?
I am born and brought up in Mumbai and I am very proud of that. My parents have been very creative in their field and also my brother presently is very active in television and media.
How did “chef idea” originate?
Always had a passion in creating things. Designing food to make it look the best always excited me. This interest and nag of creativity attracted me to the Hospitality industry. Over the years I've been a part of different fields of this industry - Flight kitchen, cruise lines, restaurants, catering companies, ecotel hotels, 5 star deluxe hotels, food courts and now free standing MNC.
What made you come back to India?
My career was going great guns, but I had to come back to India for some family reasons. I am happily married and I am a very proud father of a very cute eight month old kid.
What’s the difference you felt between Pune and Mumbai?
Difference is huge, the spending capacity and the frequency in which people party. In Pune, Monday to Thursday the footfalls are less. Where as in Mumbai there is a waiting even on those days. Weekends are business days all over. Difference in sales between the weekdays and weekends is enormous.
How do you make a difference?
It’s all about motivation. The motivational energy has to be constant from servers to managers and I am working on the same.
Has Pune grown?
Sure it’s grown as a matter of fact its growing faster than some metros. The crowd we pull in for weekends has changed, we could not imagine this few years back. Mundwa was on outskirts , now it’s mostly happening. The sheer size of the city has crossed its limit. Also the energy level is so different.
Live bands at Hard Rock Café?
Live bands kick on in March that’s very soon we promise. We have a great gig coming up on the 20th march 2009 that’s Kardinal Offishall. It’s going to be bigger than you can imagine.
Responsibility as a General Manager Hard Rock Café Pune?
I consider anything & everything as my responsibility. Since we are a franchisee, we need to adapt to the specification set by Hard rock café international. Adaptation of specification to training of staff. I have to follow standards that like hosting, retail, bar service, kitchen, sales and finance.
What’s your team?
I have the best team you can imagine. My team is my heartbeat. We don’t have waiters, we have servers. They provide customers with a complete experience. I don’t have 70 humans, I have seventy different key investments and assets. If Hard Rock is the heart my team is the heart beat.
How did Hard Rock Café happen?
Right from design and material used is approved by hard rock international. Once all is set and done an international hard rock team is flown in for inspection. All the instruments are originals, it’s amazing. There is something in this place that’s gives all a kick. Mystic I must say!
Instruments you enjoying playing?
The only instruments I have played is a walkman frankly. I enjoy Bon Jovi and any kind of slow rock.
Other then work who is Tushar Bhatt?
I am a photographer, dog lover, traveller and enjoy reading fiction.
Any low points in your young life?
I never let low points come to me; I am a very positive person. I never let negative energy take over. I don’t waste time on it. Life is too short make the most of it and enjoy.
What your future to be?
I see myself as an entrepreneur taking hospitality to even newer heights....
Lastly Mumbai terror attack what’s your feeling?
It’s like a bandage been ripped off a healing wound. I feel a lot for Mumbai, I love this city, it’s wonderful and given me a lot. I feel sad we have not reached anywhere, the investigation seems all fake. We are still stuck in this bureaucracy, no right decisions. It’s all about reports and reports which saddens me even further.
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