IKON
Goan Masterchef the late Floyd Cardoz, was celebrated for his culinary influence in both Mumbai and New York. In Mumbai, he co-founded Bombay Canteen, a restaurant that became an instant favorite. Later, he returned to New York to open Paowalla, where he continued to introduce innovative flavors.
In 2006, Chef Cardoz published his first cookbook, One Spice, Two Spice: American Food, Indian Flavors, which brought Indian-inspired tastes to a broader audience. His second cookbook, Flavorwalla: Big Flavor. Bold Spices. A New Way to Cook the Foods You Love, offered fresh, bold ways to cook familiar dishes.
In January 2007, Chef Cardoz was honored with Food TV and Share Our Strength’s first-ever “Humanitarian of the Year” award, recognizing his commitment to community service. His achievements continued in 2012 when he won Season Three of Bravo’s Top Chef Masters. He donated his $110,000 prize to the Young Scientist Cancer Research Fund at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York, supporting early-career researchers dedicated to advancing cancer research.
What is the job all about?
Tourism has significantly driven the growth of the hotel industry in India, especially in Goa. Today, Goa boasts a wide range of hotels, from luxury 7-star establishments like Taj Exotica to budget-friendly 2- and 3-star hotels. This thriving industry offers numerous career opportunities, particularly in roles such as Chef, Food and Beverage Manager, Housekeeping Executive, Front Office Manager, and Sales & Marketing. Here’s a brief overview of each role:
1. Chef:
The chef oversees all kitchen-related operations, including menu creation, food preparation, kitchen staff management, inventory ordering and purchasing, and plating design. Junior roles under the chef include:
– Sous-Chef de Cuisine (second-in-command in the kitchen)
– Chef de Partie (line cook).
2. Food & Beverage Manager:
Responsible for managing all food and beverage outlets within the hotel, ensuring high-quality service and guest satisfaction.
3. Housekeeping Executive:
This role involves overseeing the cleanliness and maintenance of guest rooms and common areas. Housekeeping duties include daily linen changes, room servicing, and decorating spaces like the front office with fresh flowers.
4. Front Office Manager:
The front office team manages guest relations, including welcoming guests, handling bookings, managing check-ins and check-outs, organizing porter services, distributing keys, maintaining security protocols, and processing payments.
5. Sales & Marketing:
Sales and marketing staff are responsible for promoting the hotel, attracting new clientele, and developing business strategies. Training for this role is often integrated into front office staff development, though larger hotels often recruit MBAs or graduates from renowned management institutes, such as Oberoi, Taj, or ITC training programs.
Can you go for it?
To succeed in the hotel industry, dedication and hard work are essential. This field requires being a “people person” with excellent PR and communication skills. Teamwork is also key, as most hotel operations rely on group coordination. Flexibility is a must, as working late hours, public holidays, and festivals is common in this industry.
You can choose any of the above specializations based on your interests and strengths. As you advance into management roles, a strong understanding of each department is beneficial, as all department heads will report to you.
Is there a future in this field?
With India’s growing economy, the hospitality industry is thriving, as more people spend on travel and accommodations. The demand for skilled professionals in hotels is expected to stay strong. Career prospects also extend abroad and in related fields like airlines and cruise liners, offering diverse opportunities for growth if you remain focused and dedicated.
Where to Begin?
In Goa
After completing 10+2 (any stream), you can apply for the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) entrance exam. The Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology, and Applied Nutrition in Alto Porvorim (www.ihmctan.edu) is one of India’s top institutes for hotel training, offering a three-year B.Sc. degree program in hotel management. Admission is competitive, and placement in Goa is possible if your entrance test scores are high. Otherwise, you may be placed in one of the other IHM campuses across the country.
Goa also has various hotel training institutes, both government-run and private, including:
• Fr. Agnel Catering Institute in Verna
• IAM and Ann Institute in Porvorim
• Cidade de Goa (for chef training)
• Victor Exotica
Additionally, the V. M. Salgaocar Institute of International Hospitality Education in Raia, South Goa, offers undergraduate and master’s degrees in hotel management, providing a newer, advanced option for hospitality education.
Outside Goa
• Taj Group of Hotels
The Taj Group offers a prestigious Graduate Management Training Programme, a two-year program based in New Delhi. This program provides hands-on experience across various hotel management functions. More information is available at Taj Hotels.
www.ihcltata.com/careers
• Oberoi Centre of Learning and Development
The Oberoi School of Hotel Management (oberoi-is.org) offers specialized programs, including:
• A three-year Hotel Operations and Management Training Program
• A three-year Senior Kitchen Training Program
• A two-year Housekeeping Executive Training Program
www.oberoi-is.org
• MBA Institutes (IIMs)
For those interested in roles in Sales & Marketing, Human Resources, or Finance within the hospitality sector, MBA programs at institutions like the IIMs offer excellent preparation for these positions.
Employment Avenues
The hospitality industry offers a wide range of opportunities in Goa, across India, internationally, and even in related fields such as airlines and cruise ships. The better your qualifications and experience, the stronger your career prospects. Those with advanced degrees, such as a Master’s or Ph.D., can also pursue teaching positions in hospitality management.
Earnings:
Entry-level salaries in hospitality may start modestly, around Rs. 15,000 per month. However, with experience and skill, salaries can increase significantly, reaching Rs. 35,000 or more, along with other benefits. Additionally, tips—especially during the tourist season—and complimentary meals are common perks.
There are diverse career paths available, including roles in airlines as air stewards or in airline catering. The Middle East also has a strong demand for experienced hospitality professionals, offering excellent salary and career growth potential.
In addition to salary, professionals in this industry can earn substantial income through tips and bonuses.
Don’t settle for just a degree or diploma — enhance your CV by completing online learning programs with certification in areas relevant to your chosen career. This will significantly improve your employment prospects compared to holding only a basic qualification. Additionally, consider boosting your confidence by enrolling in public speaking courses, such as those offered by Toastmasters International.
For government job opportunities, please check: www.employment-newspaper.com
page updated: October 2024