The culinary field can be competitive, yet fruitful. The path from a novice cook to a professional chef can take people on different journeys. At the prime of her journey is Chef Sujatha Madhavan, an experienced educator at one of the leading hospitality and culinary arts institutes, V. M. Salgaocar Institute of International Hospitality Education (VMSIIHE). Her story is equal parts passion and serendipity and she tells us more about it.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row 0=””][vc_column 0=””][vc_column_text 0=””]“While completing my education in commerce, I realised that hospitality is my forte and not a banking job,” joked Sujatha when asked about how she got into this fascinating profession. With her family owning a restaurant of their own, she was exposed to the culinary business since her childhood. She also ventured into teaching and believes it to be a selfless profession. According to her, nothing can beat the pride and joy you feel when you see your pupils flourish.
Having joined the VMSIIHE almost eight years ago, it has definitely been a fulfilling and overwhelming experience for Sujatha. “I have learned so much during my years here at the institute. The educational trips here have exposed me to the culinary culture of places far from home,” says Sujatha referring to the Institution’s international trips to Switzerland and Portugal. The current generation of young chefs have an abundance of opportunities and making use of these will take them to greater heights. Sujatha feels that students nowadays are so driven, passionate, and eager to learn and that there is nothing stopping them on their journey.
In the hustle and bustle of the hospitality field, people often get lost in the chaos. Just like every other career field, there is a race to the top here as well. Sujatha’s advice for budding chefs is to prioritise themselves, “Neglecting yourself is never the key to success. There has to be a work-life balance.”
Sujatha’s wise words for aspiring female chefs come from her own personal experience. “When I first interviewed for the position of a chef in a hotel years ago, I was told to opt for housekeeping instead,” recalls Sujatha. Years of hard work and perseverance have only solidified her belief that there is no profession women can’t conquer. You just need to be assertive and straightforward.
“The campus of VMSIIHE never fails to uplift and motivate me. There is always something to do at the campus.”, says Sujatha as she recalls the busy and productive environment that the institute offers. She finds great pride in being a part of an institute that prioritises quality, confidence-building, and discipline above everything else. “We are tough and we want to make our pupils tougher.”, laughs Sujatha.
Hospitality is an industry that will never stop growing, so increasing your knowledge about it also isn’t something to be compromised on. To help in this, the institute now also provides a new course; B.Sc. Culinary Arts which lets students explore a variety of cuisines with a strong focus on managerial and entrepreneurial skills. The college also offers a B.Sc. in Hospitality Management and M.Sc. in International Hospitality Management. The lively campus and the inspiring faculty are the reasons why VMSIIHE has become one of the top hotel management colleges in India.
Being observant and curious is essential to tapping your true potential according to Chef Sujatha Madhavan, who against all odds has reached great heights in her career. In a special message to women in hospitality, she says, “There are no male or female chefs, in the kitchen, you just have chefs.”
