FROM THE LEMON TREE PREMIER, MADHAPUR, HYDERABAD

            CARRYING THE LEMON TREE MOMENTUM ON

"This is Tandoor done. Isn't it? I asked.

This question was bounced to Regional Executive Chef Kumar Sambhav while I was having my dinner at the Kebab Theater recently. Before Chef Kumar could answer, the Junior Chef standing next to my table declared: " No Sir, it is grilled".

In reality the appetiser was tandoor done. Chef Kumar, who was giving me company, told me so too. Later, he turned towards the Junior Chef and politely explained to him in detail about the "grilled variants”. He neither condescended the Junior Chef nor was he angry that the Chef did not know his facts. I was really impressed by his matured behaviour. Exceptionally compassionate he is - with guests as well as with his colleagues.

This exactly is what I like in him. He is very concerned about his team members. He gives them the freedom they need. Very affable as well as accessible to his co-workers. On the other side, I have always seen him on the shop floor interacting with the guests. For my Trip Advisor reviews, whenever I had requested him to get me things differently                 (unconventional), he was ready to experiment with me. In fact, one day he told me that he feels very good when I ask him to present the food very innovatively. For me, he did so every time.

Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh) born Kumar (39) lapped up his hotel management degree from Pusa, Mumbai. After stints at Holiday Inn Pune (4 years) and Golden Tulip Hotel, Tanzania   (4 years), his next stop was Lemon Tree Goa as the Executive Chef. He was part of the opening team of their Electronics City property at Bengaluru before moving to the Aurangabad property in Maharashtra. He became the Regional Executive Chef in 2012. Looked after both the Lemon Tree properties at Indore and Aurangabad.

Thereafter he joined Hyderabad Lemon Tree Premier in April 2015.

“Freedom at work" says Chef Kumar Sambhav, "that is what I like the most at the Lemon Tree Group".

"I always encourage my kitchen staff to try/dish out something new. Every month I do conduct two kitchen related activities. The winner is recognised and given awards by the Area General Manager "informs Chefs Kumar.

I am really happy for Chef Kumar that ever since he joined the Hyderabad unit, the feedback on food has been very positive. All the restaurants at Lemon Tree Premier, Hyderabad (Citrus Cafe, RON and Kebab Theater) and also at Lemon Tree Gachibowli and Red Fox in Madhapur have raised the bar in terms of their culinary proficiency.

Chef Kumar Sambhav known for his enormous gentleness and clarity is a great asset to the Lemon Tree Group of Hotels.

Listen to what his colleagues have to say about him: 

Narotam Singh, Area General Manager based at Hyderabad: "Chef Sambhav is very calm and composed person. He keeps on motivating the team to achieve great results”.

Arun Gupta, General Manager, Lemon Tree Premier, Hyderabad:  “Chef Sambhav is a great mentor, always leads with example and ready to go that extra mile when it comes to customer service”.  

Srinivas Kadadi, General Manager, Red Fox, Hyderabad:  “Chef Kumar Sambhav is a very senior resource of the Lemon Tree family. Very matured and cool human being”.

Chef Kumar is married to Mohini Gupta, who runs a beauty parlour. Is blessed with 8 year old daughter - Sambhavi.

Text & Pictures: R. Kesava Mallia in Hyderabad