HAPPENING - 4 ::

HOTEL INDUSTRY’S CRICKET TOURNEY

BY P S SUNDAR

To motivate employees of hotels in Nilgiris to be united in their mission to promote tourism in the district, the Nilgiri Hotel and Restaurant Association (NHRA) conducted cricket match among them.

“Nine hotels participated.  In the Finals, Kluney Manor emerged winners and Fortune Resort Sullivan Court runners”, NHRA Secretary N Chandra Shekar told me.

“We will soon organise football tourney.  These exercises create togetherness among hotel industry staff helping in our collective mission to foster tourism”, he added.

(response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com).

CAREER - 3:

HUNAR SE ROZGAR:

LIFE RE-DEFINED FOR RURAL SCHOOL DROP-OUTS

BY P S SUNDAR

It was life re-defined for 10 school-drop out boys from country’s different parts who benefited from ‘Hunar Se Rozgar’ (HSR) project of Union Tourism Ministry as the doors for employment in five-star hotels opened for them on July 25, 2015.

AMARJEET KUMAR (left) & MURALIDHARAN

“These boys have undergone professional training from the executives of Taj Gateway Hotel, Coonoor, and now hold Government of India’s certificate enabling them employable in any star hotel anywhere in the country.   We gave them free training, uniform, kitchen and learning kits.  We also gave them stipend of ` 1,500 for 36 days’ course for F & B service and housekeeping  and ` 2,000 for 40 days’ course for F & B production”, Amarjeet Kumar, Faculty of Institute of Hotel Management, (IHM), Chennai, an institution under Union Tourism Ministry, told me.  

“The minimum qualification is pass in eighth standard.  There is no other stipulation even those relating to social or economic classification”, he noted.

“You need to be congratulated on two counts – for choosing the promising hospitality industry as your career and for choosing Taj group hotels – Gateway, Coonoor, and Savoy, Ooty, for your training”, I told the candidates in my Chief Guest 

address after distributing the certificates.  

“Today is not the end of your training but the beginning of your career.  Armed with certificate issued by Government of India through IHM and the knowledge shared by the experts at Taj group, you have a new vista in your life that over-rides the reality that you haven’t been successful at formal school and college education.  What is now required is professional knowledge and basic communication skill.    You have become employable in any star hotel that will re-define your rural upbringing and make you a noticeable hospitality professional. You can face the industry’s challenge with confidence honing up your skills, treating ‘work as worship’ and discharging duties with determination and dedication”, I said to the applause of all.

I made the occasion solemn with the candidates expressing their gratitude to IHM and Taj group for showing them life – the way to fish, rather than giving them a fish.

Amarjeet pleased them by announcing that they are now eligible for six months of further free training in IHM, Chennai, totally funded by Government of India to help them gain professional competence.  Education, kits, uniform and food will be free.   “All HSR completed candidates will be eligible for this”, he declared.

“We will absorb those boys who show interest to work for Taj group as in the past.   The HSR programme in our hotel has been growing strength to strength year after year”, said Gateway General Manager Muralidharan thanking the co-operation extended by his team to train these candidates.

“This is the third batch of HSR and by now, 47 such candidates have been trained by the Taj Group in Nilgiris.  Most candidates belong to SC/ST category hailing from country’s interior villages”, added Antony Gerald, HR Manager, Taj Nilgiri group, who is instrumental in managing the HSR at Savoy Hotel, Ooty, and Gateway Hotel, Coonoor.

The candidates cut a cake to mark the occasion.

Heads of departments felicitated the candidates.

Learning and Development Manager Titus conducted the deliberations.

(response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com)

FOOD - 7 ::

ORCHID EMERGING AS ‘MOST PREFERRED' RESTAURANT

BY P S SUNDAR

The best aspect of Orchid Square Boutique Hotel in Coonoor on the way to the most popular picnic spots, Lamb’s Rock and Dolphin’s Nose, is its demonstrated determination to emerge as the ‘Most Preferred Food Serving Rendezvous in the Nilgiris’. 

“We are constantly working on this by introducing varieties with authentic culinary, including those which are unique in this district.   We gain our confidence by the repeat patronage of guests and the encouraging feedback from visitors from all over the world.   For about 45 days since mid-June this year, we had the privilege of catering to celebrities shooting ‘Kapur and Sons’ Hindi film here.   Officers and families of Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington, hailing from various parts of the country, regularly visit us for personal dining and celebration parties.   These are in addition to the tourists and Nilgiri residents”, Sudarshan Motwani, Orchid Managing Director, told me.

“At our ‘Aroma treat’ multi-cuisine restaurant, we have introduced two exotic specialties which attract Indian and foreign guests – Mexican and Italian – to complement the already popular Chinese, Thai and continental delicacies”, he disclosed.

The Mexican delicacies include Nachos and Tacos, both vegetarian and chicken.  Spicy Mayo and Salsa Sauce make them Mexican in letter and spirit!   The Salad Platter is rich and with combinations like Greek, Hawaiian and Russian and some come with chicken mixing.  I counted 10 varieties of Salads at Orchid Menu!

The Italian Speciality comprises Pasta and Pizza.  Pastas come with vegetables, mushroom cream or chicken.   Pizzas spread with vegetables, indigenous and exotica, or chicken, grilled or dressed.

In the evenings, Sizzlers make great attractions.   Vegetable, mushroom, paneer, prawn, fish and chicken are some varieties for sizzling hot sizzlers.

On the Indian counter, the latest addition is the ‘Dosa Fusion’. While plain and masala dosa do engage the traditional food lovers, for the adventurous, there are some two dozen fusion presentations.  Vegetarian in them include Chinese spring, paneer Schezwan, paneer Makhanwala, mushroom cheese,  palak and Chinese masala.   Non vegetarian varities in them include chilli chicken, garlic chicken, murgh masala and mutton kheema.    


Idli and Wada varieties add to the Indian delicacies.   But, the Indian menu is elaborate and wide-spread to cover North and South vegetarian and non-vegetarian varieties, including the Jain variant.   

 For that matter, even in the Chinese spread, a Jain variant is offered.  And, the Chinese compliment is equally exhaustive.

Among other highlights are Royal Falooda with ice-cream and over a dozen varities of desserts including Malpua Rabdi, mango-sticky coconut Thai Rice and ice-cream with Chinese taste!

“Importantly, we take care for guests’ safety.  We source ingredients from authentic suppliers to add authenticity to the menu.  And, we use the expensive olive oil to ensure that the food is healthy.  So, variety mixed with authenticity and healthy are the fundamentals driving us to make us ‘Most Preferred Food Serving Rendezvous’ here”, Sudarshan observed. 

(response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com)

PROFILE - 2 ::

KUMAR IS KEEN ON UPLIFTING F & B AT COIMBATORE VIVANTA

BY P S SUNDAR

If Vivanta Surya Coimbatore by Taj is hailed to be the preferred culinary rendezvous for the city-dwellers and visitors, that gives the General Manager B C Kumar a level of satisfaction equivalent to professional excellence as his thrust is on uplifting Food and Beverage to complement the global standards of stay at the hotel.

“Already, we have improved the chef-strength to provide variety including regional and home-style cooking.  Be it buffet for regular meals or for select events or ala carta style, our endeavour is to keep the taste buds satisfied with quality and safe food”, he told me.

He manages quite a few food serving areas in the hotel.    The ‘Latitude’ is an all-time multi-cuisine restaurant. The ‘Red Pearl’ woos guests with the best possible Chinese servings.   The ‘Smoke in Water’ is a terrace-based adventurous avenue with spa support.   Food is also served at pool-side.   Banquets and celebrations demand his expertise on the lawns.  And, there is ‘Tease’ bar.   All these, in addition to room service.

Consequently, he manages variety through innovation. The ‘Street Food of India’ is such an innovation; details on this appear in a separate article in this blog.  “We are making this customer-centric.   So, there is variety every time the event is on”, he said.

The Badaga cuisine and Ramasseri Idli are other examples of innovation.  Separate articles appear on these in this blog.

And, for traditional wedding meal, he has introduced plantain-leaf service.

Hailing from the tourist-centric Nilgiris district, Kumar handles these with ease and excellence.    He has come to Coimbatore Vivanta after a rich experience that began at Taj Savoy Hotel in Ooty in 1985.  From there, he moved over on periodical transfers to Taj Residency, Bangalore, Fernhill Hotel, Ooty, Taj Garden Retreat, Coonoor, Taj West End, Bangalore, Taj Coromandel, Chennai, Taj Krishna, Hyderabad, and Taj Fisherman’s Cove, Chennai.   Yes, he had worked in various capacities from front office through operations to be the General Manager before becoming the second GM at the recently opened Coimbatore Vivanta.   And, in every place that he worked, Kumar has a proven track of achievement and challenge-management.

Now, he heads a huge hotel with 180 rooms which creates a task to show high occupancy rate every day!   “This is the largest hotel inside the Coimbatore city limits as it is located in the heart of the city”, Kumar told me.

He heads a team of 13 HODs and 315 employees at various levels.  

(response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com). 

HOTEL -- 5 ::

ORANGE PEKOE IS GAINING VISITORS’ ATTENTION IN KOTAGIRI

BY P S SUNDAR

Among the newer hotels in the Nilgiris earning visitors’ appreciation is Orange Pekoe Hotel in Kotagiri.    It is reachable both from Ooty and Coonoor just three kilometres before the town-centre of Kotagiri.

Located amidst picturesque tea estate, the hotel serves both leisure and business travellers.   Incidentally, ‘Orange Pekoe’ is a name of a grade of tea.

The brand-new conference room to seat about 100 persons with captivating tea estate view over large-size windows is being well utilised by groups coming from different parts of the country for their meetings.   Buffet spread is arranged.

The open-to-the-sky terrace doubles up as barbeque rendezvous.   Sitting there, one can watch vehicles pass through – from and to Kotagiri. 

Its SPICE-INN multi-cuisine restaurant serving Indian, Chinese and Thai food is a favourite among the tourists and the residents as well.

“Our 20 elegant rooms are well-furnished with modern facilities.  Guests can enjoy a panoramic view of tea estate and surrounding mountains from their rooms and balcony.  Room service is available.  Laundry, doctor-on-call and wi-fi facilities are offered subject to availability”, General Manager Sheik Riaz told me.

SHEIK RIAZ

A textile and furnishing shop with materials from Karur offers visitors access to quality utilities.

  

(response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com). 

TOURISM -- 2 ::

Wi-Fi HOTSPOTS FOR TOURISTS IN THE NILGIRIS

BY P S SUNDAR

                   Tourists visiting Nilgiris will soon be able to access internet services free-of-cost, thanks to Government-enterprise Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) announcing to create Wi-Fi hotspots.

“This comes under ‘Digital India’ programme launched by Prime Minister on July 1 through which BSNL will establish 40,000 Wi-Fi hotspots at an investment of ` 6,000 crore, mostly in tourist places to help travellers stay connected.  Accordingly, we have chosen Nilgiris to benefit under Wi-Fi hotspot coverage”, BSNL Principal General Manager D Sivaraj told me.   

“To begin with, we will create Wi-Fi facility at Sim’s Park, the most popular picnic spot in Coonoor, by this month-end”, he said.

“Anyone can access this Wi-Fi even without a sim card.  It is totally free for 30 minutes per 24 hours which can be accessed three times in a month for the same number.   Tourists can utilise this in multiple sessions.   After free usage, they can continue to use the service on paid basis for which subscription plans are available”, Sivaraj detailed.

“We will also be introducing Wi-Fi facility at Government Botanical Garden, Ooty, and Valley View picnic spot.    We surveyed 3G high usage areas based on which, we propose to create Wi-Fi hotspots in Coonoor market, Aruvankadu, Elk Hill, Gudalur and Panthalur”, Deputy General Manager R Chandrika said.

“This will benefit tourists to stay connected for Digital Locker, e-education and e-health facilities.  Mobile subscribers of any network can port-in to BSNL network by implementing Full Mobile Number Portability”, she added.

(l-r): Muralidharan (DGM - Finance), Sivaraj (PGM) & Chandrika (DGM)

(response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com). 

HAPPENING - 3 ::

HINDI FILM SHOOTING KEEPS COONOOR HOTELS BUSY

BY P S SUNDAR

                   Mid-April to mid-June is peak summer business season for the hospitality industry in the Nilgiris holding investments crossing ` 200 crore.    No hotel can afford to miss business in this season as it would be difficult to make good thereafter but usually, business comes without much effort during the peak season because of increased tourist inflow.

Hotels normally avoid conference or group bookings during the peak season which helps individual tourists get accommodation.   Hotels encourage such bookings during the off-season.

Of late, Hindi movie shootings have been keeping hotels in Coonoor busy for long period at a stretch.

Last year, during peak May season, ‘Shamitabh’ was being shot in Coonoor which saw Taj Gateway Hotel busy for over a month with Amitabh Bachchan, Dhanush and Akshara Hasan, among others, staying.  Family guests of Dhanush (as is known, his wife Aishwarya is daughter of superstar Rajnikanth) also spent personal days.

Since mid-June this year, the film ‘Kapoor and Sons’ is being shot in Coonoor with Rishi Kapoor, Fawad Khan, Siddharth Malhotra and Alia Bhatt staying in Gateway.

“We have been taking special efforts to ensure that such stars have comfortable stay with privacy”, Gateway General Manager R Muralidharan told me. 

‘Kapoor and Sons’ Director Shakun Batra and production crew are staying in Orchid Square Boutique Hotel, Coonoor.

“More importantly, these actors and crew have been dining with us and spending productive time for rehearsal or rejuvenation keeping us busy for over 45 days now.  Some of our food preparations are also acting in the film!”, said Orchid Managing Director Sudarshan Motwani who personally supervises the food preparation and catering.

The shooting of the film is happening at ‘180 Mciver’ resort hotel.

Crew members are also staying in different other hotels in Coonoor.

(response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com).