Gritty Biswa

"What is your ambition in life?", I  asked Chef Biswa Ranjan(35). Pat came the reply with spontaneity and clarity:"I would like to retire as a Master Chef”. 

Handsome Biswa Ranjan, presently working as a CDP in the banquet kitchen, at the Westin Hyderabad Mindspace, will be shortly completing two decades in the hotel industry. Life has been a roller coaster ride for him since his childhood. His professional journey from being a dishwasher-helper to a CDP has not been a cake walk at all. He had to discontinue his schooling after class 10th due to extreme poverty at home. But he more than made up for it through his readiness to spend long hours in the kitchen and a burning desire to acquire culinary skills. He converted the barrenness in his life into a blessing. He lifted himself by himself. This perfectly competent culinary artist is very amiable and amicable too. 

“As a helper”, says Odisha based Biswa who is the son of a farmer “ I used to work for 13 to 15 hours a day. My intention was to learn things fast” admits Biswa Ranjan, who was forced by destiny to earn for his family that included his parents, one younger brother and two younger sisters at a very early age. Chef Biswa Ranjan is thankful to Chittaranjan, his cousin brother, a driver by profession who encouraged him to join The Country Club, at Begumpet, Hyderabad as a dishwasher…..that was in 2004. Through sheer providence, the hotels in Hyderabad served as culinary schools to sharpen his skill.He polished his knowledge in Rajasthani cuisine at the Quality Inn, Lucknowi cuisines at Taj Banjara, South Indian food at Novotel and Afghani and Iranian at the Trident. Since Dec 2022, he is associated with the Banquets kitchen at the Westin Hyderabad Mindspace. 

His longest stint has been with the Novotel for six years. In 2017, an accident that happened at 2AM while returning home, served as an eye opener for him. Many revelations followed thereafter. He had to undergo three surgeries.Novotel Hyderabad supported him fully and Biswa Ranjan is still very grateful to Novotel, with gratitude. “I was mentally down for almost a year, but Novotel helped me generously”, remembers  Biswa. 

“In future, he will be a great chef” says Vipin Chandel, Chef de Cuisine of this hotel. While Executive Chef Prem Kumar quipped: “though Biswa is quiet and silent, he is so committed when it comes to taking ownership”. 

Biswa is married to Tapoi Parida and blessed with a daughter and a son named Raj Nandini(10)and Roshan Ranjan(04) respectively. Watching news on TV is his hobby. 

         Chef Biswaranjan with Chef Vipin

 Text and Pics by R.Kesava Mallia in Hyderabad