Brilliant Bhaskaran

“Being able to enjoy my weekly off is the only unpredictable thing in my life; guests may beckon me any time…” says Melur born (8Kms from Madurai city limits, in Tamil Nadu) Chef Bhaskaran(32) very jocularly. He is presently working as DCDP in the Leela Palace, New Delhi. 

I do have lot of respect on chefs. While I was interviewing him, a NRI lady guest from USA staying in this hotel greeted him so loudly: “Anna, Vanakkam”.This is ample proof that Chef Bhaskaran commands respect from all his guests …he is incredibly guest centric is one thing.That he makes distinctively delicious South Indian food is another. No wonder, he is face the of this hotel, at least for the guests from south India. 

He is popularly known as Anna Chef. The word Anna in Tamil means elder brother. That said, this young culinary artist in the early thirties is an Anna not only for the staff members, even for the discerning guests of this hotel. Listen to what Ashmeet Singh Jolly, Chef De Cuisine says on Anna chef: “He is a key team member of the chef community. Very friendly. Always happy at work. Very positive in his thinking. Ready to learn”.  Anna started his career in a restaurant at New Delhi when he was just 16. Believe it or not, he started cooking at home when he was just 13. He joined Leela Palace, New Delhi as a pre opening team member after a one year stint with Le Meridien, Delhi. He served for eight years here, took a break, joined Hyatt Andaz in 2020, only to start his second innings with this hotel, a year back. 

Anna gets up every day at 4AM.From 5AM, his work starts….preparing Idli/Dosa batter, chutneys …Upma…to Sambar masalas…he goes full steam. He signs off by 4PM in the evening. It is so gratifying to note that guests are so grateful to him. With folded hands, they greet him. In the guest comments card, they write embarrassingly superlative words on him…. full of praise…so reverential. In the last one year, he has already bagged the “ best employee of the month award” twice. 

I am so thankful to Pradeep Chahar, a Team Leader from the In Room Dining department, for introducing me to Chef Bhaskaran. It happened yesterday soon after my breakfast. Upon my request, Anna came to see me in my room with Pradeep. I feel fortunate for getting the opportunity to express my appreciation for Anna in person and to my heart’s content.Those exceptional moments are really memorable. Anna is very accommodating too. Yesterday evening, after finishing my interview, I came to know that he will be on leave today. Promptly, I took the liberty of requesting him whether he can opt for his weekly off, after I check out tomorrow. He readily agreed. May God Bless him !

He is married to Parameswari. Blessed with a four year old daughter, Saisa Sree. 

                                                                                       Anna with Chef Jolly and Sous Chef Laxmi Dutt

 Text and Pics by R.Kesava Mallia in New Delhi