FROM THE WESTIN HYDERABAD MINDSPACE, HYDERABAD...................3

                            BRILLIANT BUTCHER

"I have not seen a butcher like him in any other hotel. He supports the culinary department in terms of cost and quality" says Ravi Nayak, the Head Chef  at Prego on Venkata Sai Phanidhar (43) who runs the butchery in this 427 key Westin Hyderabad Mindspace. Remember Chef Ravi has had stints with the Oberoi, Fairmont, Marriott and Hyatt group of hotels.

Phanidhar popularly known as "Phaniji" is married to Jyothi, who heads the computer science division in Little Scholars School. He is blessed with two children. Nine year old Dharmik and Havisha (4).

The ‘butchery’ happens to be the heart of the kitchen. Simply stated the butchery is the meat preparation area. Phani had discontinued his engineering studies, when he was in the second year and that was because of his passion towards cooking. When he passed out the hotel management course, he was 28. He is a one-man army here. Market survey is his cup of tea.

Opines Executive Sous Chef Mukesh: "Phani's ideas are really out of the box. He liaises with vendors with unabated regularity and his awareness on cost is his strength".

Phani constantly plans on cost reduction, without compromising on quality. He plans meticulously and he is relentlessly consistent in interacting with vendors. All these make him very different from others. He joined Westin Hyderabad in 2009, during its pre-opening days, as Commis I. Became Demi CDP IN 2012 and was promoted as CDP In 2014. Very innovative Phani is. His home-made sausages, and in house smoked meat/fish and chicken have won critical acclaim from all quarters.

From Daily Treats (the restaurant located at the lobby level) guests can buy the "take away" raw meat. They can take it from here and cook it at their home as they like. Though this idea came from the Executive Chef Rakesh Anand, the execution was handled by Phani. He always does research on improving the product. Market Survey is his cup of tea.

Phani is a sports lover. "Except hockey, I play all games" says Phani.

Cricket, Volleyball, Chess and Carroms are his favourite pastimes. He always participates actively during the inter house sports events.

Text and Pictures by R Kesava Mallia in Hyderabad