Tuesday, December 6, 2016
Saturday, October 1, 2016
Hospitality Career E-Mag: Exclusive Interview | Anand Mittal, Director, IET ...
Hospitality Career E-Mag: Exclusive Interview | Anand Mittal, Director, IET ...
Looking back, everything appears to have been predestined. Everything relates to one another. One thing lead to the other. The journey of my past life looks like a dream to me now. It is because of this journey that I have finally come to realize my purpose on earth. God works in mysterious ways, I was directionless, rudderless for all of my past life, a puppet in the hands of God- going from one day to the other, trying to figure my purpose in life.
After class XII, I joined B.Sc. but got caught with the previous exam's question paper carelessly left in my pocket, by the flying squad. While I was disallowed from appearing in further exams, I found a letter waiting for me at home, announcing my admission to the new UP State Government run Hotel Management diploma course, to which I had casually applied a few months ago. I was allowed to pursue professional education in my hometown at a time when only metros or important cities did that. Technical education in 1983 was purely managed by the government as it had not been privatised at all.
My arranged marriage lead to two sons who were in the Delhi University's North campus doing Honours courses (with a gap of seven years between them) by the time I noticed. My deep resolve to share my knowledge with the world gave birth to my two cookery books, which took two years of single minded concentrated effort, to write. All in all, life to me is a journey towards knowing your purpose of existence. The lucky ones realize it sooner than after 50 years, as was the case with me.
Editor: What do you think it takes to succeed in this industry?
That is a good question. The answer to this question came to me from a wrestler, who was my supervisor during my formative years in the hotel kitchen. The first 3 or 4 months in a five star hotel's kitchen are usually very glamorous and fulfilling. Unlimited supply of best of the food in the world and limited responsibility. But after this honeymoon period, when reality sets in (repeatedly doing the same task with no scope for innovation, laborious nature of the job, intensive cleaning requirements and long working hours), most of the budding professionals are forced to make a choice. When the going gets tough, the tough get going. It is only the very determined people who stay behind, clinging to the ropes, desperately hoping for a more humane tomorrow. Tomorrow does come, but with roles reserved. The perpetrated become the perpetrators to the new employees.
Coming back to your question, the answer I got from my wrestler chef de partie when he found me sobbing in one corner of the kitchen as I was fed up of being jostled around by unkempt, uneducated, intoxicated and extremely secretive cooks, was to begin to consider that EVERYTHING IS A CHALLENGE. He said that if you are asked to peel a sack of onion in two hours, try to do it in one. If someone asks you to 100 baskets of sweet lime from one place to the other, run and do it happily. Not only will the job get done, but I would also build in strength and stamina. This was the turning point in my life. I remember this till date and am happy to share this as the secret of success in my life.
When my faculty were struggling to check 100 answer sheets in four days recently, I corrected mine in one. Instead of checking them during college hours, I chose to stay in office till midnight and the job got done. I was ready for more the next day. I am not bragging or boasting. Just trying to make a point.
In a nutshell, I believe that the hotel industry is cleaning intensive, labor intensive, time intensive and attitude intensive. But it is very generous to you when you get trained properly. So give yourself time. Be very patient and enduring. Dusk will definitely lead to dawn.
Editor: You are an academic, a writer too. Tell us about the books, what inspired you.
By my 50th birthday, I had witnessed quite a few of my friends and people of my age depart to the nether. Today you are preparing the menu for your birthday and on the day, you fail to even welcome the guests, as your time on earth was over. This was not only depressing, but also strange. All these wise men leave us just like that. Suddenly, without a goodbye. And they take with them all the knowledge and wisdom that the society granted them, to their grave. I believe it is not fair. I thought to myself that I must not die without first giving the society back what it had so generously provided to me. I then gave up all active work and set down in writing all that I knew about the kitchen on a full time basis. Running against time, praying to God desperately to allow me to finish them.
Aspirants of the hotel trade must learn to stay happy, despite everything. They must be self motivated to serve. A deep desire to be successful is a must. All successful people are very high in their levels of integrity. Integrity is determined by the value of one's spoken word. One should be very careful about what he or she speaks. The trainees must understand that it is their spoken word, that will determine their future. Everything else will automatically follow.
They must look very neat and tidy, smell pleasant and be physically fit. Good personality traits include honesty, earnestness, taking pride in work, punctuality, positive attitude, good behavior, faith in God and sincerity.Hotels will win if they are able to provide competent product, clean environment and happy, efficient service. Trainees should put in all their might in facilitating that. They will win if the hotel is successful. T. E. A. M. stands for Together Everyone Achieves More.
Editor: Tell us a little about your average day
I live in Punjab during the working days and am a workaholic. I devote over 14 hours a day working. I work from home in Dehradun for 8 hours a day, while enjoying my weekends. My aim in life is to provide an environment for all students in my place of work which is very conducive to their professional career. Efforts are not limited only the students of my institute, but to all pursuing any of the twelve professional courses being offered here. I have miles to go before I sleep, like Robert Frost once said.
I derive enjoyment from work. Teaching, training, motivating, inspiring, reading, writing and coaching students. There is no room for movies, television or social get-togethers. Only for physical exercise, personal hygiene and working. Weekdays are meant for work and weekends mostly for family, as far as my average day is concerned.
Editor: What would you like to change in the Industry?
If the industry would increase salaries at the entry level, it would encourage a more intellectual selection. Also, a well equipped training cell must be made compulsory for all hotels. This is just a wishlist. I am quite happy with the way things are at present. The industry is developing at a very rapid rate and moving in the right direction. I foresee a great future for all aspirants of the magnificent hotel trade.
Editor: So what have you discovered to be the mission of your life?
Monday, September 19, 2016
Exclusive Interview | Anand Mittal, Director, IET Bhaddal & Author of Simply Cooking
Editor: Tell us about your journey. How did it all start?
Looking back, everything appears to have been predestined. Everything relates to one another. One thing lead to the other. The journey of my past life looks like a dream to me now. It is because of this journey that I have finally come to realize my purpose on earth. God works in mysterious ways, I was directionless, rudderless for all of my past life, a puppet in the hands of God- going from one day to the other, trying to figure my purpose in life.
After class XII, I joined B.Sc. but got caught with the previous exam's question paper carelessly left in my pocket, by the flying squad. While I was disallowed from appearing in further exams, I found a letter waiting for me at home, announcing my admission to the new UP State Government run Hotel Management diploma course, to which I had casually applied a few months ago. I was allowed to pursue professional education in my hometown at a time when only metros or important cities did that. Technical education in 1983 was purely managed by the government as it had not been privatised at all.
After
just an year of training as a Chef in my first job, I was officiating as
Executive Chef of Holiday Inn, Mumbai, as our sous chef had gone abroad
and the Chef was caught misappropriating. Senior cooks accepted me as
their leader just because I was literate. They did not even know the
meaning of education, forget expecting to be recognised for my
professional education. As a trainee, I was a Chef more because I could
read KOTs and Function prospectus, and speak in English fluently, than
doing the administrative tasks of the Chefs office. One miracle in life
followed another until I found myself sitting at the helm of nationally
renowned hotel management schools of the country. I was a chef until
then, with no training or inclination about the field of educating young
minds. But I did a wonderful job here too, thanks to divine guidance. I
truly am glad about all that happened during the course of my journey.
My arranged marriage lead to two sons who were in the Delhi University's North campus doing Honours courses (with a gap of seven years between them) by the time I noticed. My deep resolve to share my knowledge with the world gave birth to my two cookery books, which took two years of single minded concentrated effort, to write. All in all, life to me is a journey towards knowing your purpose of existence. The lucky ones realize it sooner than after 50 years, as was the case with me.
Editor: What do you think it takes to succeed in this industry?
That is a good question. The answer to this question came to me from a wrestler, who was my supervisor during my formative years in the hotel kitchen. The first 3 or 4 months in a five star hotel's kitchen are usually very glamorous and fulfilling. Unlimited supply of best of the food in the world and limited responsibility. But after this honeymoon period, when reality sets in (repeatedly doing the same task with no scope for innovation, laborious nature of the job, intensive cleaning requirements and long working hours), most of the budding professionals are forced to make a choice. When the going gets tough, the tough get going. It is only the very determined people who stay behind, clinging to the ropes, desperately hoping for a more humane tomorrow. Tomorrow does come, but with roles reserved. The perpetrated become the perpetrators to the new employees.
Coming back to your question, the answer I got from my wrestler chef de partie when he found me sobbing in one corner of the kitchen as I was fed up of being jostled around by unkempt, uneducated, intoxicated and extremely secretive cooks, was to begin to consider that EVERYTHING IS A CHALLENGE. He said that if you are asked to peel a sack of onion in two hours, try to do it in one. If someone asks you to 100 baskets of sweet lime from one place to the other, run and do it happily. Not only will the job get done, but I would also build in strength and stamina. This was the turning point in my life. I remember this till date and am happy to share this as the secret of success in my life.
When my faculty were struggling to check 100 answer sheets in four days recently, I corrected mine in one. Instead of checking them during college hours, I chose to stay in office till midnight and the job got done. I was ready for more the next day. I am not bragging or boasting. Just trying to make a point.
In a nutshell, I believe that the hotel industry is cleaning intensive, labor intensive, time intensive and attitude intensive. But it is very generous to you when you get trained properly. So give yourself time. Be very patient and enduring. Dusk will definitely lead to dawn.
Editor: You are an academic, a writer too. Tell us about the books, what inspired you.
By my 50th birthday, I had witnessed quite a few of my friends and people of my age depart to the nether. Today you are preparing the menu for your birthday and on the day, you fail to even welcome the guests, as your time on earth was over. This was not only depressing, but also strange. All these wise men leave us just like that. Suddenly, without a goodbye. And they take with them all the knowledge and wisdom that the society granted them, to their grave. I believe it is not fair. I thought to myself that I must not die without first giving the society back what it had so generously provided to me. I then gave up all active work and set down in writing all that I knew about the kitchen on a full time basis. Running against time, praying to God desperately to allow me to finish them.
My
first book "Simply Cooking, Theory and Principles" was about
theoretical concepts of cooking explained in an easy language. For hotel
management students, theory is far more difficult than practical. But
during the course of writing my first book, I realised that unless
theory is supported with practical, it is meaningless and incomplete. So
I wrote "Simply Cooking, Practical". The aim of both these books was to
provide all the syllabus generally found in all catering colleges, in
one cover, at affordable prices. The modus operandi while writing was to
provide M. O. R. E. to the students, which stands for Modern,
Operational, Relevant and Experiential. The other inspiration of course
was my attitude which refuses to let me not take anything as a
challenge.I
sincerely feel that all wise and experienced people must share their
wisdom with the world in their later years, one way or the other,
without expecting to get paid for it.
Editor: What according to you can trainees do while they are training at hotels to make it a win-win for them & the hotel/unit?
Editor: What according to you can trainees do while they are training at hotels to make it a win-win for them & the hotel/unit?
Aspirants of the hotel trade must learn to stay happy, despite everything. They must be self motivated to serve. A deep desire to be successful is a must. All successful people are very high in their levels of integrity. Integrity is determined by the value of one's spoken word. One should be very careful about what he or she speaks. The trainees must understand that it is their spoken word, that will determine their future. Everything else will automatically follow.
They must look very neat and tidy, smell pleasant and be physically fit. Good personality traits include honesty, earnestness, taking pride in work, punctuality, positive attitude, good behavior, faith in God and sincerity.Hotels will win if they are able to provide competent product, clean environment and happy, efficient service. Trainees should put in all their might in facilitating that. They will win if the hotel is successful. T. E. A. M. stands for Together Everyone Achieves More.
Editor: Tell us a little about your average day
I live in Punjab during the working days and am a workaholic. I devote over 14 hours a day working. I work from home in Dehradun for 8 hours a day, while enjoying my weekends. My aim in life is to provide an environment for all students in my place of work which is very conducive to their professional career. Efforts are not limited only the students of my institute, but to all pursuing any of the twelve professional courses being offered here. I have miles to go before I sleep, like Robert Frost once said.
I derive enjoyment from work. Teaching, training, motivating, inspiring, reading, writing and coaching students. There is no room for movies, television or social get-togethers. Only for physical exercise, personal hygiene and working. Weekdays are meant for work and weekends mostly for family, as far as my average day is concerned.
Editor: What would you like to change in the Industry?
If the industry would increase salaries at the entry level, it would encourage a more intellectual selection. Also, a well equipped training cell must be made compulsory for all hotels. This is just a wishlist. I am quite happy with the way things are at present. The industry is developing at a very rapid rate and moving in the right direction. I foresee a great future for all aspirants of the magnificent hotel trade.
Editor: So what have you discovered to be the mission of your life?
My
life's mission, that I recently discovered is far beyond writing down
all that I learnt. I think that I have been chosen to revolutionsze
professional education. I pray that God gives me the strength and
perseverance to do so, or motivate someone else to carry the Olympic
torch to its rightful destination.
If
you look at the changes to our classrooms in the past 500 years, you
would observe that not much has changed, except for the printing press
which enabled providing text books to the students. It is now time to
bring about a change now. The direction of the change will be in
providing education online. Anytime, anywhere. The student would be
allowed to choose his / her pace. The lectures would be directly from
teacher to student, by way of video conferencing or recorded videos.
Teachers will reach out to a far greater number of students than
imaginable. The number of teachers would diminish to 0.1% of those today
and their quality would rise at least a hundred fold. The change has
started already. We have covered a lot of ground, but there still is a
lot to be done.
I
am grateful that you gave me this opportunity to speak my mind. I am
sorry if I offended anyone. It was not intended or meditated. These are
my opinions and they are not meant to initiate a debate with me. It is
unwise to try train an old horse, you see!
Anand Mittal
www.simplycooking.in
If you look at the changes to our classrooms in the past 500 years, you would observe that not much has changed, except for the printing press which enabled providing text books to the students. It is now time to bring about a change now. The direction of the change will be in providing education online. Anytime, anywhere. The student would be allowed to choose his / her pace. The lectures would be directly from teacher to student, by way of video conferencing or recorded videos. Teachers will reach out to a far greater number of students than imaginable. The number of teachers would diminish to 0.1% of those today and their quality would rise at least a hundred fold. The change has started already. We have covered a lot of ground, but there still is a lot to be done.
I am grateful that you gave me this opportunity to speak my mind. I am sorry if I offended anyone. It was not intended or meditated. These are my opinions and they are not meant to initiate a debate with me. It is unwise to try train an old horse, you see!
Anand Mittal
www.simplycooking.in
Friday, May 20, 2016
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
About Simply Cooking
Simply
Cooking, Theory and Principles and Simply Cooking, Practical, by Chef
Anand Mittal ISBN : 978-81-88782-14-7 & 978-81-932032-1-7.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BOOKS
Students pursuing a career in hotel management in India are facing an acute shortage of a good book on food production. “Simply Cooking” simplify cookery and puts all its principles required by them together, in a simple language. They start from the very basics and cover just about everything mentioned in the syllabus of major hotel management courses.
With the help of these books, teachers will get more time to teach and students more time to learn rather than search and deliberate from the in numerous scattered resources and yet not be satisfied with their findings as most of what is available on the subject today has not been written specifically for them. A lot of the subject matter on food production that is available today goes in unnecessary details, is very scattered and unreliable (written by authors who have never even stepped in a hotel kitchen). Hotel management students possessing this book will not need to make their own notes throughout their course, which takes up majority of their free time.
Each chapter has been written in such a way that it not only covers the topic entirely, but will also give the teachers and students enough inputs to become experts with the help of just a little research in the pointed out direction (should they plan to specialize in the subject). It is foreseen to be indispensable in the libraries of all catering institutions and in possession of each of their student for its accurateness, compactness, reliability and affordability.
Simply Cooking, Practical, (Released on 25th March, 2015) Published by
THE HOSPITALITY PRESS
7360-B, PREM NAGAR, GALI No. 1,
SHAKTI NAGAR, DELHI - 110 007
Ph. 9013629093, 011- 23824937;
ISBN–978-81-932032-1-7
Simply Cooking, Theory and Principles, (Released on 29th January, 2016) Published by
Proman Associates P. Ltd.,
101 Ekta Elegance, New Link Road,
Borivli (W), Mumbai 400 091
Email: promankur@gmail.com
ISBN: 978-81-887821-4-7
SOLE DISTRIBUTOR OF BOTH BOOKS:
JINDAL BOOK SERVICES
LG-4A, Ganpati Bhawan,
4675-B/21, Ansari Road,
Darya Ganj, Delhi - 110002
DESCRIPTION OF THE BOOKS
Students pursuing a career in hotel management in India are facing an acute shortage of a good book on food production. “Simply Cooking” simplify cookery and puts all its principles required by them together, in a simple language. They start from the very basics and cover just about everything mentioned in the syllabus of major hotel management courses.
With the help of these books, teachers will get more time to teach and students more time to learn rather than search and deliberate from the in numerous scattered resources and yet not be satisfied with their findings as most of what is available on the subject today has not been written specifically for them. A lot of the subject matter on food production that is available today goes in unnecessary details, is very scattered and unreliable (written by authors who have never even stepped in a hotel kitchen). Hotel management students possessing this book will not need to make their own notes throughout their course, which takes up majority of their free time.
Each chapter has been written in such a way that it not only covers the topic entirely, but will also give the teachers and students enough inputs to become experts with the help of just a little research in the pointed out direction (should they plan to specialize in the subject). It is foreseen to be indispensable in the libraries of all catering institutions and in possession of each of their student for its accurateness, compactness, reliability and affordability.
Review for "Simply Cooking" written by Chef Harkirat Uberoi, Executive Chef, Al Suwaidi, Saudi Arabia on 18th April, 2015:
"Awesome, concise yet very descriptive and covering a whole gamut of hoteliering. Especially cooking with all that you were always intrigued about when you watch cookery TV shows and an elaborate glossary to support your knowledge. It covers basics of many cuisines with recipes as also the environment and facets of various sub-kitchens and their working. There is also a basic set of formats for professionals who may need assistance to formulate and build on these.
All in all a great guide for hospitality students and also recommended for home cooks as well as for each of us to hold one in our hand so that we understand what Hotel and Restaurant people talk. The Bonus is a fantastic selection of recipes international."
Review for "Simply Cooking" written by Dr Vinay Rana, Head of Department, Graphic Era University, Dehradun, on 18th April, 2015:
"Read the book. Here is the review-
A well condensed collection of complete food production knowledge in both the books- Simply Cooking, Theory and Principles and Simply Cooking, Practical. These books are the best substitute for the traditional book we had studied- Theory of Cookery.
Well written text book after a long time. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED".
How to buy:
1. From The Hospitality Press, New Delhi
2. By Paytm by searching for "Simply Cooking".3. By paying to the author's SBI Jakhan a/c no. 10191355052, IFSC: SBIN006155. (Email: mittalis@gmail.com)
Introduction to Simply Cooking, Theory and Principles,
written by me:
In Hindi -
https://youtu.be/yeO3cfEPbbY
In English -http://youtu.be/n9A6wOYUpwM
How to buy? (MRP : Rs 350/=)
Many many happy returns of the day :-)
Introduction to Simply Cooking, Theory and Principles:
In Hindi -
https://youtu.be/yeO3cfEPbbY
In English -http://youtu.be/n9A6wOYUpwM
Website: www.simplycooking.in
My interview published on Sept 19, 2016-
http://www.hospemag.com/2016/09/exclusive-interview-anand-mittal.html
How to buy? (MRP : Rs 495/= and 350/=):
By paying to my SBI Jakhan a/c no. 10191355052, IFSC: SBIN000
6155, by internet transfer or green channel.
My 2nd book- "Simply Cooking, Practical" containing 500 coloured pages and
over 500 detailed recipes is now available at MRP 495/= by paying directly
to me or ordering to its publisher- The Hospitality Press, Delhi Ph: 011
23824937.
My 2nd book- "Simply Cooking, Practical" containing 500 coloured pages and
over 500 detailed recipes is now available at MRP 495/= by paying directly
to me or ordering to its publisher- The Hospitality Press, Delhi Ph: 011
23824937.
6155, by internet transfer or green channel.
My 2nd book- "Simply Cooking, Practical" containing 500 coloured pages and
over 500 detailed recipes is now available at MRP 495/= by paying directly
to me or ordering to its publisher- The Hospitality Press, Delhi Ph: 011
23824937.
My 2nd book- "Simply Cooking, Practical" containing 500 coloured pages and
over 500 detailed recipes is now available at MRP 495/= by paying directly
to me or ordering to its publisher- The Hospitality Press, Delhi Ph: 011
23824937.
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