A
MAGICAL COMBINATION OF TWO LADY CHEFS
The Taj Group of Hotels has the culture of popularising regional
cuisines. With this objective in mind they hire the services of the local
housewives. I met two of such housewives who have turned into Chefs at the
Gateway Hotel Ganges, Varanasi. Chef Sangya
Pandey and Chef Husna Khanam.
There are many a
similarities between them. Both never had the ghost of a dream that they
will have a stint with the Taj. Both saw the advertisement in the newspapers
and applied. Both are staying near the hotel. They come to the hotel by walk.
Both have husbands doing business. Both had a passion for cooking right from
their childhood. Both feel very good when guests appreciate them on their
culinary proficiency. Both feel so comfortable at work and the Gateway Hotel
Ganges Varanasi is their second home. Both have completed their degree in Arts.
That
said, Chef Sangya Pandey specialises in Varanasi Satvik Thali (Vegetarian) while Chef Husna is an expert on
the Muslim Gharana Thali. Both the Thalis
are served at the Varuna Restaurant of this hotel. Sangya is working with
theTaj since 2010, Husna joined after a year. Husna is blessed with a son,
Mohd. Ghanim, studying in 9th class,
while Sangya has three children – Atul (20),
Shreya (15) and Saksham (11). Husna reaches the hotel at 1.00PM for duty
and leaves around 10.00PM. Sangya has a break shift. She comes at 11.00 AM and leaves
by 4.00PM. She reports back for work by 7.00PM and leave
at 10.30 PM. Both get dropped to their homes by the hotel car after their duty
hours.
Listening to music
and tailoring are the hobbies of Sangya, while cooking for the family members
(she lives in a joint family) is Husna’s main hobby.
I am glad to note that Taj takes care of them so well. Guests do
adore both the lady Chefs. They have earned a good name to live up to.
It was my good fortune that I met them. I do respectfully bow to
Chef Sangya and Chef Husna.
Text and
Pictures: R Kesava Mallia in Varanasi
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