FROM THE UMMED HOTEL, AHMEDABAD

                           MENTOR MUKESH

“I used to work, when I was an eighth standard student” informs Mukesh Dataniya, (40) Sous chef at The Ummed Hotel, Ahmedabad. He was explaining me the hard days he had faced in his life, when his father, a textile mill employee lost his job one fine morning, due to mechanisation. That was 27 years back.

“I wanted to continue my studies, for my school fees, I needed money”.

Like our Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mukesh also started his career in a tea stall as a runner boy. After one year he moved to Cama Hotel, the first hotel of Ahmedabad as a Kitchen Stewarding Assistant. That too on a contract basis. As an outsourced worker. Mornings he will attend the school, from 3.00pm to 11.00 pm he will work. His hard work paid rich dividends; he was summoned to be part of the bakery team. Here, Mukesh learnt the basic lessons of bakery.

After two years, he moved to the Rifle Club as a waiter. Next three years was with a Water Park, again in the food production. Then came his second stint in Cama Hotel, joined confectionery area, remained there for the next five years. 

Joined this hotel in 2002. That time, it was The Taj Residency.He has been working here since then - barring two short breaks in between.In 2008, he left this hotel and joined Fortune Hotel in Ahmedabad, but was back after four months. The second was in 2015. He opted for a transfer in a hotel in Goa. The present General Manager of this hotel, Koustava Mukherjee beckoned him back offering the Sous Chef's post in 2016. That was his fifth promotion since 2002.

For an year, he was the Officiating Executive Chef of this hotel. During his tenure as the Head of the Kitchen team, this hotel got a chance to serve 7000 people. At the river banks when the All India Mahila Sarpanch event happened in May 2017.

Bill Clinton’s stay (2003) in this hotel is very vivid in his memory. For all the liaison work with dignitaries and heads of the countries, Mukesh’s contribution was very evident. The planning related to their flight catering etc for the VVIPs also was part of his duty.

Let us remember one thing: While working, he continued his studies. That exactly is his greatness. Passed BA from Gujarat University, completed training course of bakery (Hotel Management) from Asia Pacific Institute of Hotel Management, Ahmedabad) also completed his first year LLB.

Married to Tina Ben, a housewife. Blessed with two children. Jaimeen (14) and Yasita (8). Learning new things in cooking, health food and herbal drinks is his hobby.

He is a teacher too. Conducts Training Classes for his co workers and Junior staff members on Receiving, Storing, Date Tagging, Super Cleaning, Food Temperature etc.

Mukesh has mentored many a staff members in bakery. Kirpal Singh (from Nepal) and Vinod Solanki, both were working in this hotel in the Kitchen Stewarding areas. He cherry picked them and trained them....today; Kirpal and Vinod are successful Bakery Chefs. Period.

Text and Pictures by R Kesava Mallia in Ahmedabad