From goals to gourmet: Football legend opens doors to his restaurant

We have all witnessed him create magic on the field and now, the iconic Indian footballer Bhaichung Bhutia is now prepared to enchant your taste buds. Bhutia has collaborated with GOAT, an elevated dining and cocktail restaurant brand and launched a premium dining space in the bustling heart of Siliguri. This is Bhutia’s first foray into dining experience that delivers a culinary odyssey where the amalgamation of culture and culinary passion create a vibrant dining tapestry. So, get ready to experience the culinary magic created by the man considered as the torchbearer of Indian football in the international arena.

In an exclusive chat with BW HOTELIER, the legendary footballer talks on why he chose to enter the restaurant business, the concept of the restaurant, collaborating with renowned chefs and more. Excerpts:

What inspired you to venture into the restaurant business?

I’ve always been fascinated, just not restaurants, but I was looking at more of a nice sports lounge-cum-restaurant where my friends and I could go, eat good food, have a great time and watch any big sporting event or activity happening globally.

Have you incorporated your passion for football into the theme or concept of the restaurant?

Yes, I have. I think if you go to the restaurant, the name itself GOAT or Greatest Of All Time is a very in-thing. The restaurant has got a lot of my touch: my jerseys, my memorabilia and my trophies.

What cuisine can one expect at the restaurant?

We’ve got all types of cuisines but have selected and customised our menu basis the Siliguri market. There’s a bit of everything from what I have relished and enjoyed eating over the years.

Are there any specific dishes on the menu that have been inspired by your favourite football memories or experiences?

When you have played in Kolkata, Ilish Maach is something you have always relished there, and you want it on the menu. Then we are trying to have a variety of food festivals through the year. As I hail from Sikkim, most dishes from the state find their way to the restaurant menu apart from a few local delicacies which I have loved during my growing up years.

How do you plan to create a unique dining experience for your guests in a competitive market?

We’re not trying to compete with anyone. It is all about people coming here and enjoying the atmosphere with live bands. However, most of the time, there will be live streaming of sporting events across the world. It’ll be a very different experience over two floors and an open terrace.

What challenges do you anticipate in the restaurant industry, and how do you plan to overcome them?

The challenges are there alright, and we have already started facing it, especially the response we have got. We were taken aback by the number of people who started pouring coming in after we opened. We couldn’t service them all as we would want to do. And I am sure there will be more challenges as we go along. I think every challenge can be met and can be overcome. 

Any lessons from your football career you think will be valuable in running a successful restaurant business?

Absolutely. It’s very important that it’ll be valuable for me as a football player and a captain of the team. You need to have a great teamwork and need to motivate your staff. There’ll be difficult times and there will be stress but we need to stick together, motivate each other.

Will your restaurant have a focus on sustainability and locally sourced ingredients?

Yes, we are looking at having a lot of locally sourced ingredients and local stuff. We are already looking at a lot of organic stuff that has been brought from Sikkim. We are tying up with farmers in Sikkim to have a Trout Festival as it is a big industry in Sikkim. We are also looking at hiring local people, just not from Sikkim but neighbouring states too. 

Any plans to expand your restaurant business in the future?

We do have plans to expand but right now, we have not really focussed so much on it. At the moment, we just want to see that GOAT Siliguri is doing well and people are happy and satisfied. Thereafter, we can think forward.