HUMANE HERO............2

"I  NURTURE  PEOPLE"

                                    

The Brand Master Chef Inder Dev (46), at Fortune Select Excalibur,Gurgaon is silently celebrating his silver jubilee year with the hospitality industry. Believe me; it is very rare that you meet visionary Chefs as humble as Inder Dev.

In my 100th blog story, I had featured Sanjay sharma, Area General Manager, the Westin Gurgaon as my first Humane Hero. Rajasthan born on Chef Inder Dev is the second Humane Hero, I have ever met. God willing, I will meet more humane heroes in the hospitality world in the days to come.

Just sample his humaneness: Manish and D'souza, both working in the food production department in ITC welcom Hotel in Vadodara will ever remain grateful to Chef Inder Dev with gratitude. It was Inder dev who taught them the basic lessons of the kitchen in a hotel. He was their sole guardian, as both were orphans. This was in 2002.

Not over; two speech and hearing impaired persons- Prasanth and Nikhil both acquired the cooking skills under the tutelage of Chef Inder Dev. Of this Nikhil is still in touch with Chef Inder even today. Nikhil is Commis 1 in Fortune Hotel, Vashi, Mumbai.

Interacting with blind schools, and helping the speech and hearing impaired in getting them trained in cookery skills has been his passion. He mentored many such people to take up jobs as Chefs- he guided them selflessly.

Rajasthan born Chef Inder happens to be the most respected Chef of Kolhapur. In 1997, Chatrapati Sahu Maharaj, the king of Kolhapur had honored Chef Inder for his immense contribution. The wedding ceremony of King's son lasted three days; as many as 10,000 people dined... and it was Chef Inder who orchestrated the catering part. The king was so impressed, he instructed his officers to share old recipes (handwritten in note books many years back) with Chef Inder; the king also beckoned one of the cook attached to the Royal Kitchen and ordered to prepare a special lunch for Chef Inder. The lunch had all ancient recipes and interestingly, it was cooked and served by a 60 year old lady cook... At that time, Inder was working as Sous Chef with Centaur Hotel, Mumbai.

"That was my happiest moment in the last 25 years as a Chef. The lady cook served me from the bottom of her heart. It was a heartwarming experience" recalled Chef Inder Dev.

Chef Inder has worked in Japan, Canada and Dubai and has visited Hongkong,Paris, Zurich and China. IHM Dadar pass out Inder, has anchored cookery shows with Khana khazana and Zee Business Great Chefs of India; has judged many cookery shows and Institutional cookery competitions. Has been featured by different magazines and newspapers in India and abroad for his role in globalizing Indian food and Indian Regional Food.

Married to Kiran, a homemaker he is blessed with two sons - Mihir (15) and Ayush (12). Lives in Gurgaon with his family.

Few years back, a well wisher in the Hospitality Industry bounced a simple question to Chef Inder.

-What is your specialization?

"I nurture people" was the reply Chef Inder had volleyed.

"In my 25 years, I have not abused anybody working under me" asserted an unassuming Chef Inder Dev, who is also interested in food photography.

Text and Pictures: R Kesava Mallia in Gurgaon.