Legends Never Retire

I learnt from legends.
Early this year arguably India's most famous chef - Hemant Oberoi retired from his coveted post as corporate chef of the Taj group. After 40 years slaving behind the stove, one would think this master artiest would be ready to rest his knives and take a much needed vacation.  You would be wrong!
One month into his retirement and chef announced the launch of his first standalone restaurant Yantra by Hemant Oberoi in a franchisee agreement with Gill Capital.

In his illustrious career, Chef Oberoi has served CEO's and superstars, Presidents and Princes. He has travelled the world by his taste buds and discovered secret recipes in undiscovered locales. Yet he always admits that "India is a diverse country with so much to offer and so much to inspire" and hence at he's latest outpost on the popular Orchard Road in Singapore, Chef Oberoi' re-imagines Indian cuisine presenting authentic forgotten flavours with his signature style and finesse.

From the quirky and crunchy chair chaat,  to the delicately flavoured and wittily titled -grazing goat, there isn't a dish on the menu that does not showcase Chef Oberoi's creative genius. Be the kebabs served in shot glasses or the tantalising tea brûlée, he stands by his personal philosophy - it's never too late to innovate.
Without any doubts the first month of Yantra by Hemant Oberoi has been a raving success with his first destination restaurant earning four stars, Chef Oberoi now focuses on something even bigger and this time closer to home.
For someone who hadn't taken a day off in over four decades of employment, why should entrepreneurship be any different.
Ananda Solomon is another force in the world of food. He has created iconic brands such as Trattoria and Thai Pavilion, introduced the country to new cuisines and successfully spearheaded  the F&B of 36 Vivanta hotels. But as big as he is, you will still find him at meal times personally attending to guests or in the kitchen preparing a meal for a regular. Or else on the phone making room for yet another diner in an already packed restaurant.
During my time working with him at the renovation of The Konkan Cafe, his signature coastal restaurant at Vivanta by Taj President, Mumbai. I have watched in admiration as he embedded himself in every detail of the design from the mosaic tiles to carved pillars. Neither the music nor the lighting surpassed his keen eye.  Proofing that no job is too big or too small provided the end objective is always focussed on the smiling face of a happy patron.   

Later this year Chef Ananda too will be completing his 26 year tenure with the Taj. But if there is anything I have learnt it's that legends never retire!

Photo is purely representational.