VERSATILE VISHNU
“I will be going to
Lemon Tree Amarante Beach Resort, Goa for cross exposure training" a
joyous Chef Vishnu quipped in glee.
This was earlier this week during my stay at Lemon Tree Vembanad
Lake Resort, located at Kayippuram, Muhamma, Alleppey, Kerala.
Keralite Chef Vishnu wears many a hats. Social Worker, Communist Party Worker, Union Leader ...but what I liked in him the most is his readiness to serve the guests selflessly. 26 years old Vishnu is the State Committee Member of Kerala Houseboat and Resort Workers Union. Also he is the Convenor of Lemon Tree Vembanadu Lake Resort unit.
For the last four years he is wedded to the kitchen in the capacity of a Guest Service Associate. He specialises in South Indian cuisine. After passing class 10th, Alleppey born Vishnu was searching for a job in local companies. That was the time Vendor Kunju Mon suggested that there is a vacancy in the Kitchen Stewarding department at Lemon Tree Vembanad Lake Resort at Muhamma, Alleppey, Kerala. That was in 2008. Vishnu joined as a Dishwasher. Today, Vishnu is one of the key load bearing pillars of this hotel.
Keralite Chef Vishnu wears many a hats. Social Worker, Communist Party Worker, Union Leader ...but what I liked in him the most is his readiness to serve the guests selflessly. 26 years old Vishnu is the State Committee Member of Kerala Houseboat and Resort Workers Union. Also he is the Convenor of Lemon Tree Vembanadu Lake Resort unit.
For the last four years he is wedded to the kitchen in the capacity of a Guest Service Associate. He specialises in South Indian cuisine. After passing class 10th, Alleppey born Vishnu was searching for a job in local companies. That was the time Vendor Kunju Mon suggested that there is a vacancy in the Kitchen Stewarding department at Lemon Tree Vembanad Lake Resort at Muhamma, Alleppey, Kerala. That was in 2008. Vishnu joined as a Dishwasher. Today, Vishnu is one of the key load bearing pillars of this hotel.
Two Chefs played a
great role in his life. Chef Maxmillan Colbey and Chef Vijayan. "I used to
help other colleagues whenever I was free. Maybe, this might have caught the
attention of the Chefs" says Vishnu.
Peeling Onions was the entry point for Vishnu when he was in Kitchen Stewarding. Thereafter he quickly progressed to vegetable cutting, making omelettes as well as dosas, moved to breakfast setting...one by one Vishnu was sharpening his skills in the world of kitchen. The management of this resort wholeheartedly supported Vishnu on every step.
Last August, he took initiative in giving shape to an organic farm on a land parcel near the hotel. Someone gave his land and it was dedicated to the welfare of the society by the communist party. "It was a bumper crop for Onam" says Vishnu. He also added that inside the campus, they have marked half an acre of land for organic farming. Importantly this is inside the hotel campus. (Already Tapioca is being grown inside the hotel campus - Courtesy: Mathew Manoj - Assistant Hotel Manager of Lemon Tree Vembanad Lake Resort).
"Our General Manager Vipin Venugopal is enormously supportive of all our efforts including the ones that involve the localites. Our intention is to share whatever remains after our consumption, with the have - nots of this area" says Vishnu.
Life is not very easy for Vishnu. He takes care of his father (bedridden presently), father's elder sister (a cancer patient) and his twin brother (mentally retarded). His mother passed when he was just 16.
Vishnu has set an example as a role model union leader. He engages himself in constructive activities for the welfare of the hotel as well as for the society around the hotel and that is exactly is what I liked in him the most.
"Yes, I am a party member of Communist Party of India (Marxist). That said, for me my guest comes first. After my work is done I will involve myself in party work too”.
Cricket is his passion. "But nowadays, I have no time for cricket" says Vishnu.
Peeling Onions was the entry point for Vishnu when he was in Kitchen Stewarding. Thereafter he quickly progressed to vegetable cutting, making omelettes as well as dosas, moved to breakfast setting...one by one Vishnu was sharpening his skills in the world of kitchen. The management of this resort wholeheartedly supported Vishnu on every step.
Last August, he took initiative in giving shape to an organic farm on a land parcel near the hotel. Someone gave his land and it was dedicated to the welfare of the society by the communist party. "It was a bumper crop for Onam" says Vishnu. He also added that inside the campus, they have marked half an acre of land for organic farming. Importantly this is inside the hotel campus. (Already Tapioca is being grown inside the hotel campus - Courtesy: Mathew Manoj - Assistant Hotel Manager of Lemon Tree Vembanad Lake Resort).
"Our General Manager Vipin Venugopal is enormously supportive of all our efforts including the ones that involve the localites. Our intention is to share whatever remains after our consumption, with the have - nots of this area" says Vishnu.
Life is not very easy for Vishnu. He takes care of his father (bedridden presently), father's elder sister (a cancer patient) and his twin brother (mentally retarded). His mother passed when he was just 16.
Vishnu has set an example as a role model union leader. He engages himself in constructive activities for the welfare of the hotel as well as for the society around the hotel and that is exactly is what I liked in him the most.
"Yes, I am a party member of Communist Party of India (Marxist). That said, for me my guest comes first. After my work is done I will involve myself in party work too”.
Cricket is his passion. "But nowadays, I have no time for cricket" says Vishnu.
Text and Pictures: R Kesava Mallia in Alleppey, Kerala
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