FROM THE TAJ FALAKNUMA PALACE,HYDERABAD...........2

TASTEMASTER   BIRENDRA

                                              

"Is there anybody in this group who has some knowledge on cooking?".

The question was bounced by David, the Security Manager, while he was briefing his team members.

Birendra, the security guard raised his hand. And, that was the turning point. The moment of transformation. Yet another Chef is born. This was in 1998.

While talking to me in the Akbar suite, in The Taj Falaknuma Palace, Birendra, popularly known as Chong Bang recalled this event, which has been vivid in his memory. This Nepali boy who landed Hyderabad in 1995 never had a ghost of a dream that he will become a Chef, that too in Taj group of hotels.

Today, he is the cafeteria-in-charge at Taj Falaknuma Palace. He feeds as many as 250 staff members of this hotel on a daily basis. A five member team supports him.

Taj group had taken over the Falaknuma Palace in 1990; Birendra was lucky to join the team in the project days itself in 1995. "The first three years have been very challenging" quipped Birendra, "I got a chance to learn many things other than Security, like mason work, plumbing, painting to gardening to planting saplings to construction of a new road".

Birendra showed me his Album that had pics shot in mid nineties. He has been with this property for the last 19 years. Has won Gold Medal in Karate competition. This black belt karate star is a Boxer too.

"Ever since I came to the cooking side, interesting were the days, in terms of learning. I have to go and purchase things myself, plan for the day, cook for everyone... I enjoyed every bit of it"...... Birendra was sharing on his experience as a chef in the late nineties.

Since 2010, he is part of the Taj Chef community.

                                

He lives in Hyderabad with his wife Parvathi, the homemaker. This Chef is blessed with two children. Akash (14) and Varsha (10). “Falak” and “Akash” both denote sky. No wonder chef Birendra chose the name “Akash” to his son, to express his gratitude to Falaknuma Palace.

He is a contributor. Whenever he can, he liaises with HR department, co ordinates the loose ends during the sports events for the staff members. Whenever his colleagues are out to participate in any sports events, he will ensure that food reaches them on time, at the venue.

"Let it be cooking for the staff members, or organizing the sports events for them, Birendra will be there taking active part voluntarily. He is very enthusiastic and passionate all the time" says Rashmi Sharma, the HR Manager,Taj Falaknuma Palace.

Spread over 56 acres, perched atop a hill, Taj Falaknuma Palace, give its hi profile luxury travelers, a commanding 360 degrees view of the entire Hyderabad city.

Text and pics: by R KESAVA MALLIA, in Hyderabad