Talented Tea maker.

“I used to go to IHM Kolkata only for my practical's” said Avinash, the young tea maker at Essence Restaurant, Park Plaza Chandigarh, Zirakpur. Meet the talented tea maker of this eatery:Avinash Kumar Mishra(25).Born in Ranti village in Bihar, known for its Mithila paintings. For the last four months, his key role is tea making especially during the breakfast periods. 

God was so compassionate to be with him, while Avinash was fighting extreme poverty for the last 12 years. “I was terminated from IHM Kolkata, as I had failed to pay my quarterly fees” informs Avinash. But the almighty came and acted through a human being and helped Avinash.That was Amitava Bhattacharya, the coordinator of IHM Kolkata.From the tender age of 13, Avinash was working to support himself as well as his family that encompasses his parents and a brother, who is presently studying. Upon hearing Avinash's story.Amitava was shell shocked. That is when Amitava told him that he need come only for the practicals. He was so generous and supportive and agreed, even to visit Avinash's home. 

“Now I am awaiting my results” says Avinash, who has just completed his final year in hotel management. 

Avinash's life has been packed with so many harsh realities.He wore many a caps to make both ends meet…he worked as an assistant in a hospital, a salesman-loader in a textile shop, an OLA cab driver, a Zomato home delivery boy….and even in mobile repairing. 

Interestingly,Avinash has some karmic connect with Sumit Gogia, the General Manager of this hotel.....the story goes like this (God’s ways are really mysterious…he has a way to protect good people).

One day the GM came to the Essence restaurant and ordered for a tea. Avinash made the tea for him…while some other steward served it. The GM really liked the tea. The next day, the GM instructed his In room dining team to serve a tea in his room, but with a polite request: “a young boy in F&B service made my tea yesterday; the tea was excellent. Ask the same boy to make it for me today also. Period. From that day onwards, Avinash was declared as the official tea maker of this restaurant. 

For the last three days, I have been enjoying the luminously flavoured ginger tea masterfully crafted by the gifted hands of Avinash. More than the ingredients he uses to make it more aromatic, what I liked most is this: He uses his heart, while making the tea. He is joyous at work. Smilingly, he serves every guest. He is prompt and proactive. Diligent as well as dedicated in his efforts. Caring and considerate….Avinash is amazing in his work ethics.Everyone love's his tea. 

In the last four months, only one guest had complained about his tea. She told Avinash, that the ginger was too less in her tea. Avinash, promptly apologised to this passionate tea drinker…made another tea…obviously, with more ginger in it…delighted, dazzled and impressed the guest. She was very pleased. So too was Avinash. 

Recently, Avinash had gone to Kolkata to meet his parents.After returning to Chandigarh he resumed his duties as the tea maker.On his first day, soon after rejoining, the GM-Mr. Sumit Gogia jocularly whispered in his ears: “when you were on leave, I was missing your teas”. 

Case in point: I will checking out from the hotel today by afternoon (returning to my home at Hyderabad) and I also will be missing his tea. That said, I will be once again staying in this hotel in the month of June 2023 when I come to conduct my workshops on Service Excellence.

I am already looking forward to Avinash's ginger teas during that trip….many a cups !

Avinash with Vikram- Asst Restaurant Manager at Essence

 Text and pics: by R Kesava Mallia at Chandigarh