Affable Ankit 

“You need to focus on technical as well as behavioural training“ reminded Anupam Das Gupta, General Manager, The Leela Palace, New Delhi, while informing Ankit Joshi(32) about his selection as the restaurant Manager of the Qube cafe. This happened one month back. 

Last Sunday, when I visited this cafe soon after my check in, it was Ankit who had served me. At that time he was just 19 days old in the system but he behaved-acted and conducted himself as though he has been working there for the last 19 years. That’s the level of ownership he displayed ! What I also liked in him was his servitude. He personally took care of me and served me end to end. Case in point: when it comes to serving his guests, he is so unassuming and selfless. He is ready to go the extra mile - smilingly. He is plugged in and 'on the floor'- always. 

Listen to what Anupam Das Gupta (GM, The Leela Palace, New Delhi, says about this affable manager: “Ankit is a wonder leader. Warm and engaging. Very good with guests. Highly observant and leads from the front. He is hands-on, and does not hesitate to jump in to help his team. He has made a real difference since coming on board very recently. A real asset to the Leela Group and Qube restaurant".

This iconic hotel’s Asst. Director of F&B, Ashish Arora opines: “Ankit is our newest manager in the F&B team. His attitude towards his peers/superiors, his commitment towards his work and his self discipline makes him different from others. He is very enthusiastic and takes great pride and ownership in his work”. 

After passing out from IHM Gwalior, in 2011, his first job was at Le Meridien, New Delhi. After a three year stint there, he moved to Abu Dhabi, worked for five years where he worked at the Westin Hotel Golf Spa & Resort. His next stop was the Lodhi Hotel at New Delhi, before finally joining the Leela Palace.

Ankit lives in Delhi with his wife Rohini, mother in law and two sons - Advit and Divith. Playing Table Tennis is his hobby. His parents live in Ghaziabad with his younger brother, Sachin . 

                                                                          Ankit with Ashish Arora

 Text and pics by R.Kesava Mallia, in New Delhi